2009 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Diesel · NG09 XEW

The most recent MOT, conducted on 18 December 2025 at 132,667 miles, returned a pass, but the maintenance trend over the preceding years is one of gradual structural and suspension deterioration rather than consistent preventative upkeep. The 2025 test flagged an Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit, a minor advisory compared to the more significant corrosion and component wear noted in earlier years. Looking back, the record shows a pattern of recurring suspension corrosion that has persisted across multiple tests without clear evidence of permanent repair. The Offside Front coil spring corrosion, first noted as an advisory in December 2023 at 120,346 miles, reappeared in December 2024 at 126,881 miles alongside a new advisory for a corroded but not seriously weakened Front Sub-frame. This suggests surface-level monitoring rather than proactive underbody treatment or component replacement. The December 2023 failure for excessive play in the Offside Front track rod end ball joint was rectified before the retest the following day, which is positive, but the underlying theme is one of reactive fixes rather than sustained mechanical care. The mileage accumulation of approximately 7,804 miles per year over seventeen years is broadly typical for a small hatchback of this age, and the MOT record aligns with that usage pattern. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in recorded mileage between tests. The vehicle has been tested annually around the December period, with mileages progressing from 112,283 miles in January 2023 to 132,667 miles in December 2025, representing a steady 6,500 to 7,000-mile annual increase. This consistent accumulation implies regular road use rather than prolonged standing, which in turn means suspension, braking, and structural components have been subjected to ongoing operational stress without the mitigating benefit of low-mileage preservation. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and sub-frame area during any in-person inspection. The repeated advisories for coil spring corrosion and the December 2024 note regarding sub-frame corrosion indicate that underbody rust is an active concern, even if it has not yet reached the point of serious structural weakening. The front brake discs were flagged as worn and pitted in January 2023, and while no subsequent test has revisited this item, a visual check of disc thickness and surface condition remains prudent given the mileage. The track rod end failure in late 2023 also warrants scrutiny of the entire front steering linkage for play or uneven wear. Tyre wear advisories appear frequently across the record, with multiple instances of tread worn close to the legal limit and perishing noted on rear tyres. This recurring pattern suggests either a tendency toward delayed replacement or possible alignment issues that accelerate edge wear. Inspect all four tyres for uneven tread patterns and check suspension bushes and anti-roll bar linkages for deterioration, as the 2023 advisory on the Offside Front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover points to broader rubber component ageing.