2009 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Diesel · LD59 TNJ

A pattern of growing mechanical wear is the defining theme in this 2009 Ford Fiesta's MOT history, with the 2024 test producing a cluster of major defects that touch on suspension, lighting, and powertrain integrity. The advisory flags raised in June 2024 for both rear axle swivel pins and bushes showing slight wear are particularly telling, as they followed a March 2024 failure that included an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint and a deteriorated dogbone engine mount. While the most recent test on 25 June 2025 recorded a pass, that same date also shows a fail for the windscreen washer providing insufficient fluid, a trivial item that was presumably rectified immediately and re-tested to record the clean pass. Beyond that, the 2025 entry carries no advisories or minor defects, suggesting the suspension components and engine mount flagged the previous year were addressed prior to retest, though it remains impossible to confirm the quality or longevity of those repairs from MOT data alone. With 130,532 miles recorded over seventeen years, annual accumulation sits at roughly 7,678 miles, consistent with typical commuter or mixed-use patterns rather than any unusual high or low usage profile. There are noticeable gaps in the testing record, notably the absence of an MOT entry for 2020, and a roughly six-month gap between the March 2024 failure and the June 2024 pass, which may indicate time off the road for repairs. The mileage itself, in conjunction with the components flagged, points to consumable and wear-item replacement being a realistic expectation, as 130k miles places the Fiesta firmly in the territory where rubber components, bushes, and mounts begin to deteriorate regardless of service intervals. For a prospective buyer, the rear axle swivel pin and bush wear flagged in 2024 is the most significant recurring concern, as these components control rear wheel geometry and, once worn beyond the advisory threshold, can produce clonking or knocking noises over uneven surfaces and affect tracking. A test drive should include low-speed manoeuvres over speed humps and potholes with the windows down to listen for any rear suspension noise, alongside checking for uneven rear tyre wear which would corroborate worn bushes. The 2023 minor defect for a severely deteriorated nearside front outer CV joint boot should prompt a visual inspection for fresh grease around the inner and outer CV joints, as a perished boot that has been left unreplaced can lead to joint failure, typically manifesting as a clicking sound on full-lock turns. Given the engine mount failure recorded in 2024, it is worth checking for excessive engine movement by having an assistant select reverse with the handbrake engaged and observing the engine for severe lateral shift, and also feeling for vibration through the gear lever during idle which can indicate a worn dogbone or auxiliary mount. The lighting and reflector failures from the 2024 test are isolated electrical items, but the damaged headlamp aim being obviously incorrect is worth verifying on inspection by checking that both beams sit level on a flat surface and are not erratically misaligned. Brake components have not been flagged across the entire recorded history, which is a positive point, although at this mileage a thorough inspection of pad and disc thickness, along with brake pipe condition for any surface corrosion particularly along the underbody and rear axle line, remains advisable. The rear tyre advisories from 2022 indicate historical edge wear, often linked to suspension geometry or inflation practice, so checking that all four tyres are of matching brand, size, and tread pattern will give an indication of whether this has been corrected. Finally, the minor windscreen damage from 2024 should be examined to confirm it remains outside the driver's swept area and has not grown, while a general inspection for any new corrosion around the rear axle, subframe, and suspension mounting points will help establish whether the older advisory issues have progressed since the last recorded test.