2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · LD58 FXS

A 2009 Ford Fiesta with this MOT profile tells a clear story of progressive structural and underbody corrosion combined with recurring front suspension wear, rather than a history of straightforward roadworthiness. Across the four most recent annual inspections the vehicle has failed three times, in January 2023, February 2024 and January 2026, with only the most recent test on 19 January 2026 returning a pass. The pattern of defects is worsening rather than improving: the early failures centred on a fractured rear coil spring and an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm ball joint, while later failures escalated to include a dangerous exhaust heat shield missing as original equipment and a headlamp aim defect. Advisories have compounded every year, with both outer sills flagged as corroded in 2026 alongside corroded fuel pipes, a corroded offside front brake pipe and general underbody corrosion, indicating that the chassis is deteriorating at multiple mounting points simultaneously. Mileage on this 17 year old example stands at 123,930 miles, equating to roughly 7,290 miles per year over its life, which is broadly consistent with average annual use for a vehicle of this age. There are no extended gaps between tests that would suggest long periods off the road, with annual MOTs recorded consecutively from 2023 through 2026, indicating the car has been in regular use. Mechanically, that level of consistent usage combined with the recorded wear suggests the suspension, bush and brake components have been worked steadily rather than left to seize from standing. The mileage is not unusually low so cannot be used as a mitigating factor for the corrosion pattern; the underbody and sill deterioration is occurring at an annual mileage consistent with normal driving, which is typical for a Fiesta of this generation reaching the latter stage of its corrosion life cycle. For a prospective buyer, the corrosion advisories deserve close physical inspection before purchase. Both outer sills have been flagged across consecutive tests, fuel pipe corrosion has been noted on both the nearside and offside in different years, and the 2026 test specifically records an offside front brake pipe as corroded and covered in grease, which warrants careful examination for active seepage. Underbody corrosion is now recorded every year, so a thorough check on a ramp for perforation around the rear axle, floor sections and suspension mounting areas is essential, particularly where the rear axle was noted as excessively corroded in 2023. Any signs of patch repairs, underseal applied over bubbling metal, or fresh welding should be treated as significant, as corrosion at this level can progress to structural concerns within a single MOT cycle. The front suspension components require specific attention on a test drive given the recurring defects. The nearside front suspension arm ball joint was flagged with slight play in 2023 and failed outright with excessive wear in February 2024, and although it has not reappeared in advisories since, the anti-roll bar linkage dust cover on the same side was failing in 2023 and the upper anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover was severely deteriorated in 2024, suggesting continued contamination of the joints. On the road, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness or judder through the steering wheel when turning or braking. The rear suspension also warrants scrutiny after the fractured nearside rear coil spring failure in January 2025, with both rear outer sill mounting areas recorded as corroded; check for any sagging on one side at the rear and listen for audible rattling over rough roads. Brakes should be tested firmly from speed for any pull or vibration, as front brake discs were noted as pitted and scored in 2024, and finally inspect the exhaust system visually for missing or insecure heat shielding given the dangerous defect recorded in that area, alongside checking that both headlamps are correctly aimed and the offside adjuster mechanism is intact.