2009 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · FP59 MOV

The 2009 Ford Focus presents as a mechanically tired but fundamentally sound high-mileage vehicle, with a maintenance trend that is broadly stable rather than actively deteriorating. The most recent test on 26 September 2025 at 175,537 miles resulted in a pass, though the tester flagged a corroded and loose middle exhaust heat shield, slight play in the Offside Front suspension arm ball joint, and a worn and perished Offside Rear tyre. These are age-related advisories rather than critical failures, and the car has consistently passed its last three MOTs after addressing more serious defects identified in 2023 and early 2024. The pattern suggests a reactive rather than proactive maintenance approach, with faults repaired only when they become test failures. Mileage accumulation is steady and unremarkable for a 17-year-old car, averaging roughly 10,300 miles per year. The record shows 157,923 miles in September 2023, 167,330 miles in September 2024, and 175,537 miles in September 2025, indicating consistent annual use of around 8,000 to 9,000 miles in recent years. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden spikes in the odometer readings, and the mileage progression aligns with the recorded test dates. The 2024-2025 interval shows a slightly higher annual distance of 8,207 miles, which is still within normal parameters for a daily commuter vehicle. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension, where the Offside Front ball joint play flagged in September 2025 warrants inspection for imminent replacement. The recurring suspension bush wear noted across both rear trailing arms and front lower rear bushes in the 2023 tests, even though not flagged in 2025, suggests these components may have been replaced or may still be within tolerance but approaching the end of their service life. The rear braking system has been a persistent area of concern, with worn pads and discs flagged in the September 2024 failure and thin pads noted in 2023. A physical inspection of rear brake pad thickness and disc condition is advisable. The centre and middle exhaust heat shields have appeared loose or corroded across multiple tests since 2023, indicating a recurring corrosion issue in the exhaust system that could worsen and pose a fire risk if left unaddressed. The tyre wear pattern is notable and consistent. Every MOT since 2023 has flagged at least one tyre worn close to the legal limit or wearing unevenly on the inside edge, most frequently on the rear axle. This points to possible rear wheel alignment issues or worn rear suspension geometry components, such as the trailing arm bushes already flagged in earlier tests. Uneven inside-edge wear on the rear tyres is a classic indicator of excessive negative camber, which on this generation Focus is often caused by deteriorated rear beam bushes or worn trailing arm bushes. A buyer should have the rear suspension geometry checked on a four-wheel alignment rig before committing to purchase.