2009 Ford Focus 2.5L Petrol · FD58 GFY

The most recent DVSA MOT test on 17 April 2025 resulted in a pass, although the same date also shows a prior fail that was rectified before the pass was issued. That fail included three prs items: an illuminated engine management indicator (MIL), an electronic stability control warning lamp showing a fault, and a non-compliant front registration plate. The earlier 2025-01-31 fail recorded majors for both front wipers inoperative, a stop lamp not emitting steady red light, and an inoperative windscreen washer, with a further advisory noting an insecure front bumper. Taken together with the advisory history, the maintenance trend over the last four or five tests is broadly stable for general wear items, but the appearance of multiple electronic warning lamp defects in 2025 suggests that the engine management and stability control systems have been presenting intermittent or unresolved faults, which warrants further investigation rather than being dismissed on the strength of a current pass. The recorded mileage of 102,035 over approximately seventeen years equates to a very modest average of around 6,000 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and class but still sits at the lower end of the usage spectrum. This pattern tends to mean that annual mileage-related wear on major drivetrain components is relatively light, but it increases the likelihood of deterioration caused by standing rather than by use. Corrosion of underbody components, brake disc surface rust that may not clear fully with light running, deterioration of rubber and polymer components through age, and the slow discharge of the 12V battery are all more probable on a low-mileage example than on a high-mileage one, so the buyer should approach the condition of consumables with an age-based rather than purely mileage-based mindset. The most significant recurring advisory concerns the front tyres, which have been flagged as worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge at every test since 2021, with both nearside and offside positions affected on each occasion. Edge wear on both sides typically points to a geometry or suspension issue rather than simple rubber wear, and combined with the 2021 advisory noting slight wear in the nearside rear trailing arm bush, the buyer should arrange a four-wheel alignment check and a physical inspection of the front suspension arms, anti-roll bar links, ball joints, and bushes. The nearside front shock absorber light oil misting noted in 2025 is also worth monitoring; light misting can be the early stage of seal failure, and on a test drive the buyer should listen for clonks or rattles over uneven surfaces and watch for excessive body roll through corners. Brake-related advisories have featured at most tests, including thin front pads in 2022, thin rear pads in 2023, a pitted or scored offside rear disc in 2022, and a thin nearside rear pad in 2021, so the brake discs and pads should be physically measured for remaining friction material and disc thickness, with attention to any brake shudder under firm pedal pressure that may indicate disc runout or warping. Beyond the recorded defects, a seventeen-year-old vehicle with this mileage profile demands age-appropriate checks that the MOT history alone will not capture. The sill corrosion advisories noted on both sides in 2025 should be examined closely with a torch and ideally on a ramp, as surface corrosion of inner sills can progress to structural concern if left unaddressed, and any remedial welding or underseal treatment should be confirmed. The under trays and sill covers flagged in 2023 can hide corrosion and component condition, so insist they are removed for inspection. Check the front tyres for age-related sidewall cracking or perishing regardless of tread depth, as a tyre over six or seven years old can fail under load even with legal tread; inspect the rear tyres and spare for the same. Verify the production date of the 12V battery and test its resting voltage, as a 2010s battery is well beyond typical service life. Confirm that brake fluid, coolant, and if applicable the power steering fluid have been replaced on a calendar basis rather than purely by mileage, and that the timing belt or chain service interval is documented, as the Focus of this vintage is chain-driven but the auxiliary drive belt and tensioner should be examined for cracking. Finally, ensure that the previously rectified electronic stability control and engine management warnings have been properly diagnosed and cleared, as the root cause of those warnings is not recorded on the MOT and could relate to anything from a faulty ABS sensor to an exhaust or emissions fault that may return.