2009 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · FE09 HOJ

This 2009 Ford Fiesta carries a meaningful mechanical risk profile stemming from a serious set of component failures recorded at its most recent MOT on 14 February 2023, which it did not pass. The test identified four major defects: an exhaust system both leaking gases and physically insecure, front brake disc wear classed as significantly and obviously worn, and a nearside front suspension arm ball joint with excessive wear. The combination of an MOT failure rather than a pass, combined with the absence of any subsequent test in the official record over the intervening years to the present date, means the vehicle's current roadworthy status is entirely unknown to DVSA. This is not a clean, stable history. The earlier test from 1 December 2021 did record a pass, but only immediately following a same-day failure for non-functioning registration plate lamps and an inoperative windscreen washer, items which suggest attention to basic electrical and trim-level maintenance has at times been lacking. The trajectory between the 2021 pass and the 2023 failure shows a clear deterioration in mechanical condition rather than a stable or improving pattern. Against an age of roughly seventeen years, the recorded mileage of 96,411 miles equates to an annual accumulation of around 5,671 miles, which is notably low for the vehicle's age class. There is also a significant testing gap between February 2023 and the current date, which strongly implies the vehicle has either been off the road, untested, or unregistered for an extended period. From a mechanical standpoint, low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components but increases the likelihood of degradation through standing rather than use. Rubber and polymer items such as suspension bushes, ball joints, brake hydraulic seals, and tyre sidewalls deteriorate faster when a vehicle is left static, particularly if stored outside. The recorded front ball joint wear and brake disc wear are entirely consistent with a vehicle that has either covered its miles in short, cold-start urban cycles or has spent considerable periods stationary between uses, both of which accelerate the specific component failures observed. A prospective buyer should treat the 2023 exhaust, brake, and suspension failures as the priority inspection items, and should not assume any remedial work has been carried out simply because time has passed. The exhaust leak and insecurity require a thorough check of the system from the manifold gasket through to the rear silencer, listening for ticking at idle, and inspecting all mounting rubbers and the rear silencer clamp for corrosion cracking; a 2009 Fiesta commonly suffers from perished rear mounting rubbers and corroded downpipe joints. The front brake disc wear should be verified by direct measurement of remaining disc thickness against the stamped minimum, and the condition of the brake pads, caliper slide pins, and flexi hoses examined for perished rubber or binding caliper pistons, as a disc worn to its service limit is often accompanied by at least one of these secondary issues. On the test drive, any pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application, a steering pull to one side, or a grinding or scraping noise from the front wheels would warrant immediate further investigation. The suspension arm ball joint wear is arguably the most safety-critical of the recorded defects and demands close attention. The buyer should check the nearside front lower arm ball joint for any vertical or horizontal play by hand with the wheel lifted, and listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed bumps, potholes, or uneven surfaces at low speed. It is also prudent to inspect the offside ball joint and the full set of front suspension components, including the anti-roll bar drop links, track rod ends, and front subframe mounting points for corrosion, as age-related Fiesta corrosion around the front subframe and suspension turrets is a recognised issue. Finally, the registration plate lamps and windscreen washer faults from the 2021 test, although minor, are worth confirming as functional during a pre-purchase inspection, as their reappearance alongside major mechanical defects suggests general electrical and trim-level maintenance may have been deferred. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is strongly advised before any commitment is made.