2009 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Petrol · FH59 MPU

The 2009 Ford Fiesta presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 5 June 2026 at 67,339 miles was a clear pass, but only after a failure on the same day for a blown offside stop lamp, worn front brake discs, and pads below 1.5 mm. That pattern is telling. The car went straight back after a minor repair and brake work, suggesting the previous owner addressed immediate failures rather than staying ahead of wear. The pass is fresh, yet the underlying trend is reactive. Brake discs have been flagged as worn or pitted in every test from 2025 onward, and front pads were noted as wearing thin in 2025 then found below minimum thickness in 2026. This points to a cycle of running components to the edge of the limit rather than replacing them early. Mileage accumulation tells a different story. The car has covered roughly 2,850 miles in the past year, moving from 64,489 miles in June 2025 to 67,339 miles now. Over its seventeen-year life that averages under 4,000 miles annually, which is low. The record shows consistent annual tests with no large gaps, so the mileage appears genuine rather than rolled back. Low annual use can preserve bodywork and mechanical components, but it also means the car may have spent long periods stationary. That raises its own concerns: perished rubber seals, deteriorated brake components from standing corrosion, and fuel system issues from stale petrol. The recurring advisories deserve close attention. Rear axle swivel pins and bushes have been flagged as slightly worn in both 2024 and 2025, and underbody corrosion was noted in 2024 alongside corroded front brake pipes. These are not consumable items that naturally wear each year. They indicate either slow structural deterioration or incomplete repairs. A buyer should inspect the rear axle bushes and swivel joints for play, check the underside for advancing rust, and examine the brake pipe condition carefully. The oil leak, present in both the 2025 failure and the 2026 pass, was judged not excessive on both occasions, but its persistence suggests a weeping gasket or seal that has not been fixed. A compression test and a thorough check for oil contamination around the turbo and engine mounts would be wise. Brakes remain the most active concern. The repeated disc wear and pad degradation, combined with corroded brake pipes in 2024, suggest the system has been neglected between annual checks. Any test drive should focus on pedal feel, pulling under braking, and judder through the steering. The exhaust heat shield was loose in 2025 and not flagged in 2026, so it may have been resecured, but a visual check underneath is still advisable. Overall, this Fiesta is roadworthy on paper today, but the record reveals a pattern of last-minute repairs rather than consistent upkeep. A buyer should budget for a thorough mechanical inspection and likely renewal of rear suspension bushes, brake hardware, and attention to corrosion before trusting the car for regular use.