2009 Ford Focus 1.6L Diesel · NG09 EAP

The vehicle's maintenance history shows a worsening trend of mechanical degradation, culminating in a significant failure during the most recent recorded test in June 2022. While the car maintained a clean record between 2014 and 2017, the subsequent years reveal a pattern of increasing component failure. The June 2022 test at 129,026 miles flagged extensive issues across multiple systems, including failed suspension bushes, worn ball joints, and serious fluid leaks from the nearside front shock absorbers. The presence of an inoperative engine management light during this test is a major concern, as it prevents the tester from verifying the engine's electronic health. The mileage accumulation appears consistent with the vehicle's age, averaging approximately 7,590 miles per year. The data shows steady usage from 2012 through 2022, with no significant periods of long-term inactivity. However, the most recent MOT entry is now over four years old, meaning the vehicle has been operating without a formal inspection since June 2022. This gap in documentation, combined with the high number of failures in the final recorded test, suggests the vehicle has not been subject to rigorous preventative maintenance in recent years. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension and braking systems. The record shows recurring issues with the parking brake, with failures noted in 2015, 2018, and 2022. The 2022 test specifically highlighted a parking brake efficiency of less than 50 percent, which requires immediate attention. Furthermore, the tester identified corrosion on both nearside and offside rear lower suspension arms in 2022. Although described as not seriously weakened at that time, the age of the vehicle and the presence of existing corrosion necessitate a close inspection of the subframes and structural integrity to ensure rust has not progressed. The widespread failure of suspension components in 2022, including anti-roll bar linkages and ball joints, indicates that the entire front and rear suspension geometry may be compromised. Given that the engine management light was inoperative during the last test, a diagnostic scan is essential to identify any underlying electronic or sensor faults that were masked. The buyer should also verify that the shock absorbers and tyres identified as defective in the 2022 report have been replaced with high-quality components.