2009 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · SA09 WHB

The 2009 Ford Focus currently holds no valid MOT after failing its most recent test on 19 June 2025 at 80,598 miles. The maintenance trend is clearly worsening. What had been a pattern of minor, recurring advisories has escalated into a serious structural failure. The tester identified excessive corrosion on both nearside and offside sill mounting areas, significantly reducing structural strength. This is a direct failure of the vehicle's primary load-bearing structure. Alongside this, multiple suspension arms and the front subframe were flagged for corrosion, and a noisy offside front wheel bearing combined with perished rear tyres point to a general lack of proactive upkeep. The car is not roadworthy in its current state. The mileage profile is unusually low for a seventeen-year-old vehicle. Recorded at 80,598 miles today, it has covered just 4,741 miles per year on average. The MOT history confirms this light use, with only 1,123 miles added between February 2024 and June 2025. Such low annual mileage often means extended periods of standing, which accelerates corrosion in suspension components, subframes, and sills due to moisture accumulation and lack of heat cycling that would otherwise burn off condensation. The sparse but consistent test record shows the car has been used gently but not necessarily maintained diligently. A buyer must treat the structural corrosion as the primary concern. The June 2025 failure specifically cites both outer sill sections and the nearside inner sill mounting area as excessively corroded. These are critical structural zones. A hands-on inspection with a torch and probe is essential to determine whether the corrosion is surface-level or has compromised the mounting points for the suspension and subframe. The front subframe itself was noted as corroded, and both front suspension arms showed similar deterioration. Any repair will likely require welding and certification to restore structural integrity. Beyond the corrosion, several mechanical items demand attention. The power steering rack showed slight seepage, a common issue on this model that can progress if ignored. The offside front wheel bearing was flagged as slightly noisy, and both rear tyres were cracking or perishing, consistent with age-related deterioration from standing rather than wear from use. The front exhaust mounting has appeared as an advisory across four consecutive tests dating back to March 2022, suggesting a persistent issue that has never been properly addressed. Taken together, the record paints a picture of a low-mileage car that has suffered from neglect rather than heavy use. A thorough underbody inspection by a qualified mechanic is essential before any purchase.