2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · SL59 JOU

A pattern of corrosion-driven suspension mounting failures and chronic advisories sits at the centre of this Fiesta's roadworthiness record, with the August 2025 test providing the most concerning evidence. Three Major defects were recorded in a single examination on 4 August 2025, flagging excessive corrosion at the offside front, offside rear, and nearside rear suspension component mounting prescribed areas, each noted as significantly reducing structural strength. A retest the following day returned a pass, but the advisories remained, and crucially the underlying corrosion would not have been rectified in 24 hours, suggesting the vehicle passed only because the prescribed limits were no longer being exceeded on those specific measurement points rather than because the corrosion was treated. The 2026 test on 29 July cleared the suspension items but retained a minor defect for inoperative registration plate lamps alongside advisories for tyres worn to 3mm on the nearside front and offside inner edge, and a slightly insecure rear exhaust heatshield. Taken together, the records point to a vehicle whose structural mounting areas warrant close physical inspection rather than assumption of compliance. With 100,740 miles recorded across seventeen years, the Fiesta accumulates roughly 5,900 miles annually, a notably low figure that places it firmly in the light-use bracket for its age and generation. This is relevant mechanically because the MOT history shows annual testing each year from 2021 through 2026 with no apparent extended lay-up periods, yet the mileage progression between tests is modest, meaning the corrosion findings are unlikely to be the result of high-cycle fatigue loading but rather the more typical age-related oxidation seen on Fiesta models of this era, particularly around suspension turrets and subframe mounting plates. The presence of overheating advisories on the 2025 tests alongside the structural corrosion findings is worth correlating during inspection, as prolonged heat cycling can accelerate degradation of underbody protection and expose already-weakened steel to further oxidation. For a prospective buyer, the August 2025 Major defects must drive the physical inspection priorities. The corrosion was specifically recorded at prescribed suspension mounting areas, so a thorough examination beneath the vehicle on a ramp is essential, paying particular attention to the offside front strut top mounting area, the rear axle mounting points, and any subframe-to-body interfaces where perforation or significant section loss may be visible. During a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, feel for vagueness or rattling through the steering wheel, and check for any rear instability or creaking over speed humps, all of which could indicate compromised mounting integrity beyond what the tester recorded. The 2023 failure for an excessively worn offside front suspension arm ball joint is also a known Fiesta weakness, so the condition of the lower wishbones, anti-roll bar drop links, and bushes should be assessed by hand for any play. The remaining advisory items inform the rest of the inspection routine. The 2026 advisory for tyres worn close to the legal limit on the nearside front and offside front inner edge, combined with a recorded 3mm tread depth, means replacement tyres will be an immediate cost, and the inner-edge wear pattern can indicate tracking misalignment or worn suspension geometry, so a geometry check is advisable alongside any new tyres. The insecure rear exhaust heatshield noted in 2026 follows on from the 2025 advisories for peeling exhaust outer skin and vehicle overheating, so the exhaust system should be inspected for blueing, hangers, and any signs of blowing at joints, while the cooling system warrants a check for leaks, fan operation, and any coolant smell. Finally, the recurring registration plate lamp defects across 2023 and 2026 suggest an intermittent electrical issue worth tracing rather than simply replacing a bulb, and the 2023 advisories for thin front brake pads mean the discs and calipers should be examined for lipping, binding, and service life remaining before purchase commitment.