2009 Ford Focus 1.8L Diesel · FD58 MWG

The 2009 Ford Focus presents a broadly stable maintenance profile, passing its most recent MOT on 20 February 2025 at 128,191 miles with only a minor advisory for light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber. That advisory, logged under item 5.3.2 (b), indicates a minor seepage rather than a catastrophic failure, though it warrants monitoring. The overall trend across the record is one of gradual, manageable wear rather than escalating mechanical neglect, with no recurring serious failures. The mileage progression tells a consistent story. Between the February 2023 test at 109,656 miles and the December 2023 test at 121,017 miles, the car covered roughly 11,361 miles in ten months, a relatively brisk pace. From December 2023 to February 2025, the odometer moved just 7,173 miles over fourteen months, suggesting a notable drop in usage or a period of reduced activity. This uneven pattern means a buyer should verify whether the car sat idle for extended periods, which can cause brake disc surface corrosion, perished rubber hoses, and stale fuel issues not always visible on an MOT. The December 2023 failure for both front tyres below the 1.6mm tread threshold is a clear indicator that basic consumable upkeep was deferred at that point. Both tyres failed simultaneously, pointing to uneven wear patterns that often stem from neglected wheel alignment or worn suspension geometry. The February 2022 advisory for worn suspension arm pins or bushes at the front lower rear further supports this. A prospective buyer should inspect the front suspension bushes, ball joints, and track rod ends for play, and check whether the replacement tyres fitted after the December 2023 failure show even tread wear since. The oil misting on the offside front shock absorber, while only advisory, should not be dismissed. Left unaddressed, a misting damper can progress to a weeping condition, reducing damping effectiveness and affecting braking stability on uneven surfaces. A physical inspection should include a close check of both front shock absorbers for wetness or heavy deposits, along with a bounce test on the front corner. The exhaust system, brake lines, and underbody for corrosion deserve equal attention given the car's age and the mileage carried.