2009 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Diesel · RV09 VDF

A seventeen-year-old Ford Fiesta carrying a developing pattern of front and rear lighting defects alongside recurring rear suspension bush wear presents a mixed mechanical picture, even though it ultimately passed its most recent examination on 20 June 2026. Across the seven entries on file, the vehicle has recorded three failures, the most recent of which involved a non-functioning nearside headlamp on dipped beam, which was apparently remedied to achieve the same-day pass. More telling is the cluster of major lighting defects appearing across multiple tests, including excessive headlamp aim on both sides in March 2025 and a failed main beam bulb on the nearside in March 2022. Combined with the 2026 dipped beam failure, this trend points towards intermittent electrical or connector issues within the headlamp circuit that warrant closer inspection rather than being dismissed as one-off bulb failures. The rear suspension beam bushes were first flagged as delaminating in 2025 and have continued to deteriorate, reaching a point in 2026 where the nearside trailing arm bush is now worn enough to be recorded again, suggesting progressive rather than stable wear. The recorded mileage of 95,635 miles against seventeen years on the road equates to an average annual accumulation of approximately 5,600 miles, which is markedly below the typical figure for a Fiesta of this generation and suggests the car has either seen extended spells of light use or periods of inactivity. There are no unusual gaps in the testing history, with annual MOTs recorded consistently from 2022 onwards, so the vehicle has clearly remained in regular service rather than laid up for any significant interval. Mechanically, this relatively gentle rate of mileage accumulation means the engine and gearbox are unlikely to have suffered the internal wear associated with high-mileage petrol units, but it does mean that age-sensitive components such as rubber suspension bushes, brake hoses, plastic trim fixings, and underbody corrosion protection are exposed to longer periods of environmental degradation without the benefit of high-mileage replacement cycles. Any prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the rear suspension beam bushes, which have now appeared on two consecutive tests. On a road test, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear axle over uneven surfaces, particularly when traversing speed cushions or potholes, and feel for any vagueness or wander from the rear axle under braking or during sharp direction changes. The beam itself should be inspected for surface corrosion and cracking around the bush housings, and the bushes pressed by hand to assess for excessive movement once the vehicle is raised. Equally important is a thorough check of the headlamp wiring, as three separate lighting failures across the test history are unusual. Both headlamp units should be confirmed as functioning on dip and main beam, the lens surfaces checked for moisture ingress or internal silvering, and the aim verified against a flat surface, as the recurring high aim readings suggest either adjustment drift or deteriorated adjustment mechanism. The advisories concerning the nearside front tyre, recorded on both 2023 and 2024 tests for cracking or perishing, indicate a possible ageing issue with the rubber compound rather than simple tread loss, particularly given the modest annual mileage. Any current tyres should be examined closely for sidewall cracking, especially on the nearside front, and the manufacturing date checked if there is any doubt about their age. The exhaust heat shield noted as insecure in the 2025 test should be confirmed as properly refastened, as contact between a loose shield and the fuel tank or underbody components can create both a noise and a fire risk. Finally, the windscreen wiper defect recorded in 2025 and the minor screen damage should prompt a careful check of the wiper mechanism for smooth operation across the full swept area, along with an inspection of the screen for any cracking within zone A that may have developed since the last test.