2009 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Diesel · OY09 LDJ

The defining mechanical story of this 2009 Ford Fiesta is a pattern of recurring wear advisories spanning nearly every major consumable and several suspension elements, alongside two recorded failures that point to genuinely significant faults rather than trivialities. The most recent test on 11 April 2025 returned a pass, but it carried advisories for both front road wheels being slightly distorted, a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit on the edge, and a nearside front tyre similarly worn on its inner edge. Going back to 28 March 2024, the previous pass was accompanied by pitted and scored front brake discs on both inner faces, a damaged nearside front tyre sidewall, and three out of four road wheels flagged as slightly distorted on their inner rims. The 2023 test added slight play in an offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and worn inner brake discs on both sides. Earlier still, the April 2022 pass recorded thinning front brake pads, pitted front brake discs on both sides, an offside rear shock absorber with light oil misting, and a slightly worn nearside rear trailing arm bush. More concerning than any single advisory is the recorded failure on the same date in April 2022, where exhaust emissions exceeded the manufacturer's specified limit, and the earlier failure on 27 March 2019 which flagged both front suspension arm ball joints as excessively worn at Major level. While the most recent outcome was a pass, the cumulative weight of advisories indicates a vehicle approaching the limits on several systems simultaneously rather than one in stable roadworthy condition. Against an age of roughly seventeen years and recorded mileage of 192,241 miles, the annual accumulation works out at approximately 11,300 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with average mileage expectations for a car of this vintage. There is, however, a notable gap between the 11 April 2022 test and the previous recorded pass on 21 October 2020, with no MOT history shown in that interval, suggesting either a period where the vehicle was not presented for testing or that intervening tests were not recorded. The overall mileage growth across the recorded tests indicates consistent rather than sporadic use. Mechanically, a Fiesta of this age and mileage will inevitably show wear on its consumables and suspension, and the recorded history reflects exactly that: brake discs and pads reaching the end of their useful life across multiple test cycles, tyres regularly approaching the legal tread limit, and a succession of suspension joints and bushes showing varying degrees of play or deterioration. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas on inspection are the suspension and braking components that have appeared in advisories across multiple years. The 2019 Major failure for both front suspension arm ball joints and the 2023 advisory for anti-roll bar linkage play indicate these assemblies have already been renewed at some point and the test drive should focus on detecting returning wear: listen for clonks or knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed cushions and potholes, and feel for any vagueness or rattle through the steering. Check for uneven inner tyre wear on the front pair, as this was flagged in both 2024 and 2025 and is often linked to worn suspension bushes distorting geometry. On the braking side, with discs pitted and pads thin across several tests, the pedal should be tested for any judder under firm braking, which would indicate disc run-out or lipping, and the car should pull up in a straight line without pulling to either side. The 2024 advisories for cracked nearside front tyre sidewall also warrant a close visual inspection of all four sidewalls for perishing or bulging. The remaining advisories deserve targeted attention during a physical inspection and on the road. The offside rear shock absorber was noted as having light oil misting in 2022; check the shock body for fresh seepage and assess ride quality over undulating surfaces for any lack of damping or continued bouncing after compressions. With the exhaust emissions failure from the same 2022 visit, the exhaust system should be inspected from the manifold gasket rearward for blowing joints, corrosion holes, or a failing catalytic converter, and the engine should be started from cold to listen for any blowing sounds that disappear once warm. Road wheel distortion across multiple positions in 2024 and 2025 suggests kerbing damage; check all four wheels for run-out by spinning them and feeling for lateral movement, and inspect the tyres for any uneven wear patterns consistent with buckled rims. Finally, the nearside rear trailing arm bush flagged in 2022 and the rear axle swivel pin wear from 2020 both indicate the rear suspension has been showing progressive wear, so listen for any rear-end clonks over rough roads and check for uneven rear tyre wear as evidence of geometry disturbance. Given the age, mileage, and pattern of advisories, budgeting for near-term replacement of brake discs and pads, tyres, and likely further suspension component renewal would be prudent.