2009 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · FN59 HBX

A pattern of recurring advisories on the steering and rear suspension, combined with a series of lighting and tyre-related failures, defines the mechanical character of this 2009 Ford Fiesta. The most recent test on 25 November 2025 was a pass, but it carried four advisories, continuing a theme that runs through most of the recorded history. Rear axle swivel pins and bushes on both sides were noted as slightly worn, an offside front coil spring was flagged as corroded in 2023, and play in the steering rack inner joint has appeared on three consecutive tests from 2023 to 2024. The vehicle has also failed MOT on three separate occasions in the last four years, each time for relatively straightforward but nevertheless safety-relevant defects: a nearside headlamp not working on dipped beam in 2024, an offside headlamp dip failure and misaligned washer jets in 2022, and in 2023 a dangerous nearside front tyre below the legal tread limit along with inoperative reversing and stop lamps. The picture is of a car that has remained roadworthy enough to pass each annual assessment, but one whose underlying wear items are being consistently flagged year after year. Mileage of 124,513 over a 17-year span equates to roughly 7,324 miles annually, which sits close to the typical figure for a car of this age. The recorded progression between tests shows an increase of 2,500 to 4,500 miles between annual MOTs, consistent with steady rather than heavy use. There are no prolonged gaps in the testing record to suggest the vehicle has been laid up for extended periods, which removes the standing-still concerns that might otherwise apply to a Fiesta of this vintage. This level of annual use is high enough that consumables such as brake components, tyres, and suspension wear items would be expected to require attention relatively regularly, and the advisory history bears that out. For a prospective buyer, the steering and rear suspension advisories warrant specific attention. The play in the steering rack inner joint, now noted across multiple tests, is worth probing on a test drive by turning the wheel lock to lock at low speed and feeling for any notchiness or clunking, as well as listening for knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces. The rear swivel pins and bushes showing slight wear can be checked by rocking each rear wheel laterally while the car is jacked and looking for play at the hub, and on the road any wandering at the rear over bumps could indicate the bushes have progressed further since the advisory. The corroded rear coil springs flagged in 2023 should be inspected visually for surface rust and any signs of cracking, and the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint play noted in 2022 is another item to verify has not worsened, typically presenting as a knock from the front over speed bumps. The tyre and lighting failures, while individually minor, point to items that should be confirmed as properly resolved before purchase. A walk-around check of both headlamp dipped beams, all stop lamps, and the reversing lamp is essential, and the nearside front tyre should be measured with a tread depth gauge, particularly noting whether the inner edge wear pattern flagged in 2025 has recurred or been addressed through wheel alignment. The oil leak recorded as not excessive in the most recent test should be monitored by inspecting the ground beneath the car after it has been parked and checking the undertray and engine sump for fresh seepage. Given the consistent stream of advisories on steering and suspension components, a test drive on uneven or potholed roads is advisable to listen for any new knocks or rattles that would suggest the wear items are progressing beyond the advisory threshold.