2009 Ford Focus 2.5L Petrol · FP59 MLO

A fractured offside front coil spring recorded as a Major failure on 10 June 2026 sits at the centre of this vehicle's mechanical narrative, and the same defect passing under the registration on the following day indicates the spring was replaced and subsequently re-presented for test, where it was confirmed as satisfactory. Apart from this single component failure, the history is largely favourable: the 2025, 2024, 2021 and the earlier tests all returned clean passes, while the 2023 examination noted only a minor windscreen chip well outside the driver's primary sight line. Two advisories are on file, a slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint flagged in March 2022 and a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit recorded in March 2020, neither of which progressed to a failure but both of which warrant attention. Taken together, the record shows a generally stable roadworthiness profile disrupted by one significant front suspension component failure, which is not uncommon on a Focus of this age but should not be dismissed as isolated. With 102,122 miles spread across seventeen years, this Ford has averaged roughly 6,000 miles annually, a rate consistent with typical private or commuter use rather than high-mileage motorway work. The MOT dates show broadly annual testing from 2020 onwards without any multi-year lay-up gaps, suggesting the car has been in continuous use and therefore exposed to normal wear on consumables rather than the prolonged stationary periods that can degrade brake components, oil seals and 12V batteries. The mileage progression is steady and there are no signs of clocking or unusual jumps between tests, so the recorded odometer figure can be treated as a reliable indicator of mechanical wear. At this mileage, expectations should focus on mid-life refurbishment of suspension and braking items rather than major drivetrain concerns, although original clutch, dual-mass flywheel and timing belt service intervals should be verified through independent documentation. From a buyer's perspective, the failed offside front coil spring is the most relevant recent event. Ford Focus coil springs, particularly on the front axle, are known to fracture once corrosion and fatigue set in, and a single failure often precedes a repeat on the nearside within a short mileage window. On a test drive, listen carefully for a sharp metallic ping or clunk over single-sided bumps, particularly from the front offside corner, and pay attention to any drop in ride height or a sudden list to one side when stationary, all of which would indicate a further broken spring. The 2022 advisory on the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint should be investigated physically: with the car on a ramp, check the joint for any lateral or rotational free play, as worn linkage bushes and ball joints produce a knocking or rattling noise over uneven surfaces and imprecise handling during direction changes. Other items worth scrutinising in person include the nearside rear tyre area, where the 2020 advisory noted edge wear, a symptom that often points to rear axle geometry issues, weak rear shock absorbers or a failing rear anti-roll bar bush on this model. Inspect the rear tyres for uneven shoulder wear and check the rear dampers for any signs of fluid leakage or extended bouncing after a compression. The brake system should also be examined closely given the mileage; corroded brake discs, binding calipers and perished flexible brake hoses are common on Mk2 Focus cars approaching or exceeding 100,000 miles. Finally, a thorough underside inspection is essential to look for surface corrosion on subframes, suspension arms and brake pipes, as structural rust is one of the most frequent reasons older Focus vehicles fail subsequent MOT tests and should be priced into any purchase decision.