2009 Ford Focus 1.8L Diesel · KS09 CZV

The 2009 Ford Focus presents a mixed mechanical picture as of its most recent MOT pass on 6 November 2021 at 108,896 miles. That test was over four and a half years ago as of today, which is a significant gap in oversight for a vehicle of this age. The maintenance trend is not clearly improving or worsening, but rather stagnant. Recurring advisories for a corroded nearside rear coil spring appeared in every single test from 2019 through 2021, indicating a slow structural deterioration that was monitored but never rectified. A front oil leak was noted in the final pass, and rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin, suggesting consumable wear was accumulating without a fresh inspection since. The mileage progression tells a story of very light recent use. The car covered just 2,901 miles between the November 2020 pass at 105,995 miles and the November 2021 pass at 108,896 miles. Before that, it averaged roughly 4,464 miles annually between November 2019 and November 2020. Over its full life, the 108,896 miles recorded equate to approximately 6,406 miles per year, which is typical for a vehicle of this vintage. However, the sharp drop in annual mileage in the final year raises the possibility of prolonged standing, which can cause brake disc surface corrosion, tyre flat-spotting, and seized components that a stationary vehicle is prone to developing. A buyer should treat the four-and-a-half-year inspection gap as the primary concern. Brake components deserve close scrutiny. Rear brake pads were noted as thin in 2021, and rear brake discs were flagged as worn in 2019. Without a recent test, there is no way to confirm whether these parts have been replaced or whether binding calipers or uneven disc wear have developed since. The persistent advisory for a corroded nearside rear coil spring is a structural integrity issue that demands a physical inspection. Surface corrosion on coil springs can hide deeper pitting that risks sudden spring fracture, particularly under load or over sharp bumps. Suspension wear is another recurring theme. Worn front lower suspension arm bushes appeared as a failure point in the November 2020 test and as an advisory in 2019, while rear wishbone bushes were flagged as worn across multiple tests. The steering column bush was also noted worn in both 2020 tests. These are not catastrophic failures, but collectively they suggest the front and rear suspension has been operating with degraded bushings for years, which can cause imprecise steering, uneven tyre wear, and clunking over rough surfaces. The nearside front outer CV boot was split in the 2019 failure, and if that joint was not subsequently replaced, it may now be contaminated and due for a driveshaft assembly. The exhaust box corrosion noted in 2019 may have progressed, and any visible rust on the underside, particularly around the rear spring mounts and subframe mounting points, should be probed thoroughly.