2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · OY09 LNH

A 2009 Ford Fiesta carrying nearly 160,000 miles and presenting such an unblemished MOT record is a notable proposition, particularly as vehicles of this age and vintage typically accumulate a steady trail of advisories as original components reach the end of their functional life. The most recent assessment on 10 November 2025 recorded a clean pass with no advisories, continuing a sequence of straightforward passes that stretches back through 2024 and 2023 to April 2022. The absence of even minor advisory entries across five consecutive tests suggests the vehicle has been either exceptionally well-maintained on the consumable side, or that it has not yet been driven aggressively enough to expose wear items at the point of test. For a prospective buyer, this clean sheet is genuinely reassuring, but it must be read against the backdrop of the Fiesta's known mechanical vulnerabilities at this mileage, particularly around the front suspension and rear axle. Against an age of roughly seventeen years, an average annual mileage of around 9,367 miles sits comfortably within the expected envelope for a car of this generation, neither signalling excessive motorway use nor a long period of dormancy that could compromise seals, brake hydraulics, or underbody protection. The continuity of testing between 2022 and 2025 indicates the vehicle has been in regular use rather than left standing, which is positive for component longevity. However, the relatively brief gap between the May 2023 and December 2023 tests suggests a possible change of ownership or keeper during that period, and any such transition is worth corroborating with the V5C and service history. The high absolute mileage, combined with the Fiesta's reputation for hard-working suspension geometry, means that even unrecorded wear items are likely approaching replacement thresholds. For a vehicle of this mileage and age, the test drive should focus on the front suspension, which is the most likely source of latent defects not yet flagged. Listen for clonking or knocking from the front strut assemblies over uneven surfaces, which can indicate worn top mount bearings or deteriorating coil springs. Pay particular attention to the steering feel: any vagueness on centre, juddering through the wheel under braking, or knocking from the front hubs when turning at low speed can point to worn wishbone bushes, track rod ends, or front wheel bearings. The Fiesta Mk6 and Mk7 generations are also known for rear axle bush wear, so listen for a slightly agricultural note from the rear under load and check for any uneven tyre wear on the inner edges when inspecting the wheels. The braking system deserves a physical check rather than relying solely on the road test, as the clean MOT record gives no insight into pad or disc life remaining. With heat-cycled components at this mileage, binding calipers are a known concern, so verify that the car rolls freely when released on level ground and that the wheels are cool after a short drive. Inspect the underbody for any surface corrosion along the subframe, sill seams, and brake pipe runs, particularly around the rear arch lips where Ford paint protection is known to weaken. Finally, request evidence of recent timing belt and water pump replacement on the 1.25 or 1.4 petrol engines typically fitted to this model, as neglect of this service interval is far more consequential at 159,000 miles than any MOT advisory could ever be.