2009 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Diesel · LR08 CAT

The most recent MOT test on 4 June 2026 resulted in a pass, but this follows very closely a failed retest just three days earlier on 1 June 2026, indicating that significant remedial work was undertaken in a very short period immediately before the vehicle was put up for sale. The earlier failure comprised four major defects concerning parking brake efficiency, exhaust emissions exceeding manufacturer limits, an excessively worn offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and excessive play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint. The fact that the retest passed cleanly suggests these items were repaired or replaced, but a prospective buyer must establish precisely what work was carried out and whether invoices or warranty documentation exist to evidence proper rectification rather than a short-term patch. It is also noteworthy that four advisories were issued at the pass, including front tyres worn close to the legal limit on the inner edges, both front anti-roll bar pins or bushes showing wear, a slight offside front inner tie rod play, and a non-excessive oil leak from the engine sump. These advisories collectively suggest that the front suspension and steering geometry, in particular, are approaching the end of their service life and warrant close attention. Looking further back, the 2023, 2024, and 2025 tests all passed without advisories, so the sudden cluster of defects in mid-2026 indicates either a marked deterioration in the vehicle's mechanical condition or, more charitably, that advisory items noted in earlier years were simply not recorded by the previous tester. Overall, the trend over the last twelve months is clearly worsening rather than stable, and a buyer should treat the front axle as a priority area for inspection and likely expenditure. Recorded mileage stands at 115,140 miles on a 2009 Ford Fiesta, equating to approximately 6,773 miles per year over the vehicle's seventeen-year life, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and class. There are no significant gaps in the recorded MOT history that would suggest long periods of standing unused, although MOT tests are only captured annually and do not necessarily reflect continuous operation between certificates. With mileage of this magnitude on a small petrol Fiesta of this vintage, wear on major drivetrain components such as the clutch, gearbox synchros, and engine internals will be proportionate to the odometer reading rather than disproportionately low, and consumable replacement should be expected. The mileage is high enough that items such as the timing belt or chain service interval, water pump, and engine mounts may already have required attention, particularly on a 2009 Fiesta which would originally have been fitted with a timing belt engine requiring periodic replacement to prevent catastrophic failure. Regarding the specific defects recorded, the front suspension and steering cluster is the single most important area for a buyer to evaluate physically. The worn anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and track rod end play, even if replaced to achieve the pass, suggest that the bushes, drop links, and possibly the anti-roll bar itself are fatigued and may soon require further renewal. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or when turning into kerbs, and feel for vagueness, wandering, or juddering through the steering wheel which would indicate remaining wear in the steering or suspension linkages. The advisories regarding front tyres worn on the inner edges are particularly significant because inner-edge wear typically points to incorrect tracking, worn suspension bushes allowing camber disturbance, or distorted axle geometry rather than simply under-inflation, and a four-wheel alignment check should be performed regardless of whether new tyres are fitted. The advisory on oil leakage from the engine sump is currently classed as non-excessive, but sump gasket and rear main seal leaks on high-mileage Fiestas of this era tend to worsen over time, so the underside should be inspected for fresh drips, oil residue on the sump flange, and any evidence of recent sealing compounds. Beyond the recorded defects, several age-related and mileage-related items deserve attention on a seventeen-year-old vehicle regardless of MOT outcome. Brake discs and calipers may exhibit corrosion or binding, particularly if the car has had periods of light use, leading to uneven braking or pulling to one side under braking, and the fact that the parking brake efficiency was a major failure at the recent test indicates the handbrake mechanism, cables, or rear caliper actuators should be specifically inspected and demonstrated. Brake fluid, coolant, and automatic or manual transmission fluid will all have aged considerably beyond their recommended service intervals and should be considered due for renewal purely on a time basis. The 12V battery is well beyond its typical five-year service life and prone to cold-weather failure, so its age and state of charge should be verified. Tyres, even if not yet at the legal limit, should be examined for sidewall cracking and perishing consistent with age, and the spare wheel should be checked for condition and pressure. Exhaust system condition, including the catalytic converter and rear silencer, should be physically inspected for corrosion given the recent emissions failure, and the underbody, suspension subframes, and brake lines should be examined for any surface corrosion that could progress to MOT failure within the next twelve months. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified independent technician, ideally with the vehicle raised on a ramp, is strongly recommended.