2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · FN59 GYC

A notable feature of this 2009 Ford Fiesta's MOT history is the complete absence of any recorded advisories or defect entries across the last five tests, yet the most recent test on 14 March 2026 resulted in a failure. The official DVSA record shows no specific defect details were captured for that failure, which is unusual and warrants direct clarification with the testing station to establish exactly which items caused the car to fail. Prior to this, the vehicle passed cleanly at the 13 March 2025 retest attempt after an initial failure on the same day, again with no defects listed, and had also passed without issue in December 2023 and November 2022. This pattern of unrecorded defects on failures, combined with otherwise clean passes, suggests the issues prompting the failures were rectified at the time of test rather than representing chronic, unresolved problems, though a prospective buyer should not assume this without documentary evidence of the repair work undertaken. With 86,697 miles recorded over approximately seventeen years, this Fiesta has covered an average of around 5,100 miles annually, which is well below typical usage for a vehicle of this age and class. There is also a discernible gap in the testing record between late November 2022 and the March 2025 tests, indicating either a period off the road or simply that no test was required during the intervening years. Low annual mileage of this nature generally translates to reduced wear on major drivetrain components, the clutch and gearbox, but it can also mean prolonged periods of stationary use, which can affect rubber-mounted components, brake discs through surface corrosion, and fluid seals through lack of regular thermal cycling. The relatively contained mileage figure is reassuring for the engine and transmission internals, but buyers should be mindful that light use over extended periods can mask deterioration in items that only manifest faults when subjected to regular operation. Given the absence of specific defect data in the records, the practical approach for a prospective buyer is to focus on areas commonly affected on a Fiesta of this vintage and mileage. The front suspension, particularly the lower wishbone bushes and drop links, and the rear beam axle bushes are known wear items on this model, so during a test drive listen for clonking or knocking noises over speed bumps, uneven surfaces, and during full-lock manoeuvres, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the steering. On uneven roads, check for any rear-wheel instability or skipping, which can indicate compromised rear beam bushings. The braking system should be assessed for pulling to one side under firm pedal pressure, any sponginess in the pedal, or grinding sounds that might suggest worn pads or corroded discs, particularly given the likelihood of light use allowing surface rust to develop on the discs. The engine and ancillaries warrant attention to common Fiesta weak points for this era. Check for any oil misting or seepage around the cam cover gasket and the rear main seal area, and inspect the coolant expansion tank and associated hoses for signs of staining or crystallisation that would indicate a slow leak. Listen for any timing chain rattle on a cold start, which can become more pronounced before fully dissipating as the engine warms, and ensure the cooling fan cuts in promptly as the temperature gauge needle rises to its midpoint. Under the bonnet, examine the condition of the auxiliary drive belt for any glazing or cracking, and verify that the air conditioning system delivers cold air, as seals on a 17-year-old system can deteriorate. Finally, inspect the exhaust system from the manifold back to the rear silencer for any signs of corrosion or blowing joints, and examine the underside of the vehicle for any structural rust around the rear axle mounting points, floor pans, and jacking points, as these areas are particularly susceptible on a Fiesta that has seen multiple winters of road salt exposure.