2009 Ford Focus 2.0L Petrol · OY09 UXC

This 2009 Ford Focus presents a mixed mechanical picture dominated by recurring front suspension wear and emerging structural corrosion, with the latest test on 1 April 2026 recording only a single advisory for perished offside rear tyre rubber. That recent pass follows a clean 2025 examination and sits in contrast to the more eventful 2024 and 2023 tests, which included an outright failure in 2024 over a dangerously bulging nearside front tyre, both anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers failing to keep dirt out, and a headlamp aim defect repeated from 2023. The anti-roll bar linkage dust cover issue has been a persistent thread across the record, first flagged as a minor deterioration in 2022 and escalating to major failures in both 2023 and 2024, suggesting the front anti-roll bar components have not been properly addressed. A fractured nearside front coil spring was also recorded at the 2023 failure, and the 2024 pass continued to flag corrosion of the rear sub-frame and rear anti-roll bar, indicating progressive structural surface oxidation across the underbody. Mileage stands at 133,245 miles across approximately 17 years, equating to a broadly average annual accumulation of around 7,800 miles, with no extended gaps in annual testing evident from the record. This pattern points to consistent year-round use rather than long periods of standing, which is mechanically relevant given that the recorded defects involve predominantly dynamic components such as coil springs, anti-roll bar linkages, suspension bushes, and brake discs. Mileage progression between tests appears reasonably linear, so the wear items flagged align broadly with what would be expected at this odometer reading, particularly the front suspension consumables that have absorbed the majority of the recorded defects. The consistent appearance of front brake disc pitting and front suspension wear underlines that this vehicle has been worked hard over uneven British road surfaces, rather than used lightly or sporadically. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas for physical inspection centre on the front suspension geometry and its associated linkages. The fractured coil spring recorded in 2023, combined with the ball joint dust cover failures on both sides of the anti-roll bar linkage in 2024, should prompt a thorough check for any clonks or knocks over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the front end during low-speed manoeuvres. Listen for any knocking from the anti-roll bar area, which would suggest the linkages have not been replaced despite the 2024 major defects, and inspect the front subframe mounting area for any rust through-holes. Ask for documentary evidence of recent replacement of the anti-roll bar drop links and verify whether the fractured spring was renewed, as the same components can fail again if adjacent bushes are worn. Pay close attention to steering response, particularly any vagueness or rattle through the front wheels, as worn suspension arm bushes were noted at the 2021 test on both sides and these are likely to have progressed further given the intervening mileage and load cycles. On the road, the brakes merit particular attention given the 2022 advisory for pitted and scored front discs. Test from a moderately brisk speed and feel for any vibration through the pedal or steering wheel, which would indicate disc warp, and listen for any binding or dragging from the calipers as the vehicle rolls to a stop. Inspect the rear sub-frame and rear anti-roll bar surfaces for any bubbling paint, flaking scale, or perforation, as the advisories in 2022 and 2024 suggest corrosion that, while not yet structurally critical, is advancing and could become an issue within the next MOT cycle. Examine the windscreen for the damage recorded as a minor in three consecutive tests, and check whether the nearside front headlamp can be correctly aligned, as the aim defect recurred in both the 2023 and 2024 tests. Finally, confirm the offside rear tyre has been replaced and inspect all four tyres closely for sidewall cracking, bulges, or exposed ply, given the dangerous nearside front tyre failure in 2024 and the multiple tyre-related advisories across the record.