2009 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · SL59 WEX

The defining mechanical story of this 2009 Ford Mondeo is one of progressive structural and chassis wear accumulating beneath a bodywork that continues to pass its roadworthiness tests. Every recorded MOT since 2021 has carried advisories relating to corrosion on the subframe, suspension arms, and underbody components, with the 2024 test explicitly noting badly corroded underbody items. On top of this, the most recent test flagged worn and pitted rear brake discs, worn front suspension arm pins or bushes with play on both sides, and a light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber. The earlier 2018 failure for excessively worn rear anti-roll bar ball joints and linkage bushes, combined with a recurring advisory in 2022 for a damaged nearside front strut top mount, indicates that the suspension and anti-roll bar assemblies have been subject to repeated wear over the life of the vehicle. While the car has passed every test, the density and recurrence of structural advisories point to a chassis that is steadily deteriorating rather than a vehicle with a clean, untroubled record. With 220,018 miles recorded across seventeen years, this Mondeo has covered approximately 12,942 miles per year on average, which is notably high for a vehicle of its age and places sustained demand on the clutch, gearbox, engine internals, brakes, and suspension components. The MOT history covers the period from 2018 to 2024 with tests conducted on an almost annual basis, suggesting the car has been in regular use throughout rather than laid up for any extended period, which removes the concerns typically associated with prolonged standing such as seized brakes or perished rubber. However, the consistently high annual mileage means consumable wear will be advanced, and items such as engine mounts, timing chain components, dual mass flywheel, and gearbox synchros are likely to be nearing the end of their service life even where no specific defect has been flagged. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the underbody and suspension, as these are the areas most heavily flagged in the record. With subframe corrosion, corroded suspension arms, worn anti-roll bar components, and damaged strut top mounts all noted, the vehicle should be placed on a ramp to check for advanced rust perforation on the front subframe, rear suspension arms, and any brake or fuel lines running along the chassis. On the test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and rough surfaces, particularly from the anti-roll bar linkages, and pay attention to any vagueness in the steering response or clonks during direction changes which could indicate worn drop links or bushes. The damaged top mount flagged in 2022 should be checked by pushing down on each front corner with the vehicle stationary to detect any knocking or excessive travel, and the shock absorber oil misting should be examined to confirm it has not progressed to active weeping onto the casing. The braking system also warrants close attention given the repeated advisories for worn rear discs and fluctuating front brake performance noted in 2018. On a road test, the pedal should feel firm without excessive travel, and any judder or vibration under braking would suggest the rear discs have worn beyond their service limit or that the front calipers are binding. A check of the rear brake caliper slide pins and handbrake mechanism is worthwhile, as high-mileage Mondeos are known for seized rear calipers. Finally, with 220,018 miles on the odometer, the engine and transmission should be evaluated for any signs of timing chain rattle on cold start, excessive blue smoke from the oil misting shock absorber potentially masking engine wear, and any clutch slip or judder when pulling away in higher gears, all of which would be consistent with the mechanical demands placed on a high-mileage example of this age.