2009 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Petrol · ND09 FWA

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but shows a clear trend of deteriorating mechanical and structural condition. While it passed its latest test in March 2026 at 124,271 miles, the tester recorded a high volume of advisories compared to the clean results seen in 2024 and 2025. The shift from a defect-free history to multiple failures across steering, suspension, and exhaust systems suggests that the vehicle is entering a phase where component-related wear is accelerating rapidly. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 17-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,300 miles per year. Between March 2025 at 119,644 miles and March 2026 at 124,271 miles, the car covered roughly 4,600 miles, which aligns with typical annual usage for this age. However, the low annual mileage has not protected the car from age-related degradation, as evidenced by the 2023 report of structural corrosion and recent wear on rubber components like axle bushes. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the chassis and suspension assembly. The March 2026 test flagged play in the steering rack inner joints and a severely deteriorated offside anti-roll bar linkage, both of which impact handling precision and tire wear. Furthermore, the 2025 failure for excessively worn rear axle swivel pins and bushes indicates the suspension geometry is under significant stress. Attention should also be paid to the structural corrosion noted in 2023 to ensure rust has not progressed beyond surface-level issues. The exhaust system requires immediate attention as a minor leak was noted in both 2023 and 2026, alongside a loose heat shield. The most recent test also highlighted three tyres nearing the legal limit, with the nearside rear tyre showing cracking, indicating a lack of basic consumable maintenance. Given the recurring nature of the steering and suspension faults, the vehicle is likely to require significant investment to maintain a reliable standard of roadworthiness.