2009 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Diesel · KN59 LCY

A seventeen-year-old Fiesta showing 171,176 miles carries a mechanical narrative dominated by chronic advisories across the front axle and rear coil springs, with two recorded failures along the way. The most recent test on 21 August 2025 passed, but it did so alongside an advisory for slight play in the offside front suspension arm ball joint and a minor exhaust gas leak from the rear box. Looking back through the five tests recorded since 2019, nearside and offside rear coil spring corrosion has appeared as an advisory in 2021, 2023 and again implied in the trend, while the front brake discs have been flagged as pitted or scored since at least 2019 and the front pads were noted as wearing thin by the end of 2020. The picture is therefore one of a high-mileage car that passes its annual assessments but with a steady accumulation of wear items, rather than a clean record. The annual mileage of roughly 10,069 miles per year is broadly typical for the vehicle's age, which means the recorded 171,176 miles are consistent with regular road use rather than any unusual driving pattern. There are no multi-year gaps in the testing history between 2019 and 2025, suggesting the car has remained in continuous service rather than being laid up for extended periods. Mechanically, that level of sustained use on a car of this vintage places predictable pressure on the suspension bushes, ball joints, dampers, brake components, exhaust mounting points and engine oil seals, all of which is consistent with the advisory patterns observed across the DVSA record. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension geometry deserves particular attention given the history. The offside front suspension arm ball joint flagged in 2025 and the nearside track rod end ball joint that was condemned as dangerous in December 2023 both point to wear in the steering and suspension linkages. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and feel for any vagueness, wandering or tram lining in the steering, particularly under braking. The steering arm deformed advisory from 2019 is also worth noting, as it was deemed serviceable at the time but should be visually inspected for any worsening cracking or distortion. Check that the front tyres wear evenly across their width, as uneven inner or outer shoulder wear can indicate compromised geometry or worn bushes. The rear coil spring corrosion advisories recorded on multiple occasions suggest that corrosion protection on the spring seats or coils themselves may be deteriorating, which on a car of this age and mileage is a common area of concern. On inspection, look for surface rust, flaking or any reduction in ride height at the rear, and listen for any knocking from the rear over bumps which could indicate compromised spring seats. The recurring engine oil leak advisory, described as not excessive but present since at least 2019, should be examined for fresh drips on the underbody and driveway staining, and the buyer should check the oil level on the dipstick before any purchase. The recent exhaust rear box leak, the worn front brake discs and pads, and the inoperative registration plate lamp are relatively minor items, but together with the suspension wear they confirm that this Fiesta is a high-mileage example that will require ongoing maintenance to remain roadworthy rather than a low-wear candidate.