2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · GL09 XMD

A repeating pattern of suspension and undercarriage wear advisories has emerged across the last three MOT tests for this 2009 Ford Fiesta, indicating that the mechanical story is one of progressive chassis component ageing rather than any singular major failure. The most recent examination on 2026-08-24 documented a pass, but flagged perished ball joint gaiters on both front suspension arms, thinning front inner brake pads, slight wear on the nearside rear axle swivel pin and bush, a corroded nearside rear lower coil spring, and a discoloured rear indicator. The previous test in 2025-08-27 had similarly recorded perished rear trailing arm bushes and shoulder wear on both rear tyres, while the 2024 test highlighted front tyres worn down to 3mm on both sides. The 2022 and 2023 tests were entirely clean, meaning the advisories have accumulated steadily over the past three years, pointing to a chassis and running gear now entering a phase where rubber and corrosion-prone items are simultaneously requiring attention. Against the vehicle's 17 year age bracket, the recorded 91,788 miles equates to approximately 5,399 miles annually, which is firmly within low-mileage territory and is consistent with predominantly urban or short-journey use. The MOT records are spaced at regular annual intervals with no testing gaps, so there is no evidence of a multi-year lay-up that would typically introduce concerns regarding seized calipers, deteriorated fuel, or perished rubber through disuse. However, the low annual accumulation means the wear observed is not mileage-driven so much as age-driven, with rubber gaiters, bushes, and exposed metal coil springs deteriorating through oxidation rather than mechanical fatigue. The accumulation has been remarkably linear, climbing by between four and seven thousand miles each year, which suggests a consistent usage pattern without long dormant periods. For a prospective buyer, the undercarriage items flagged in the advisories are the immediate mechanical priorities and warrant a physical inspection on a ramp or over a pit before commitment. The perished front ball joint gaiters should be examined to confirm whether dirt ingress has already damaged the actual ball joints, which would manifest on a test drive as clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces or when turning at low speed. The slightly worn rear axle swivel pin and bush on the nearside can produce a vague rear-end instability or a slight knocking on rough roads, while the corroded rear coil spring is an advisory that can rapidly progress to coil fracture, leading to an audible metallic clunk and uneven ride height. The front inner brake pads wearing thin should be measured for remaining friction material, and the brake pedal should be tested for firmness, with any judder under braking suggesting the discs may also be approaching replacement. A road test should focus on listening for suspension knocks over speed humps and potholes, particularly from the front corners and the nearside rear, while also checking for any directional pull under braking that could indicate binding calipers given the low-mileage profile. The discoloured rear indicator is purely cosmetic but worth noting for an MoT-failing scenario, and the perished trailing arm bushes from 2025 should be rechecked as perished rubber typically hardens further with age, potentially transmitting vibration into the cabin. With no advisory-free test for three consecutive years and components on the rear axle, front suspension, and braking system all flagged simultaneously, budgeting for a comprehensive suspension refresh alongside new front tyres and brake pads would be a prudent step before purchase.