2009 Ford Focus 1.6L Diesel · SN09 HRM

Fuel economy for the 1.6 TDCi diesel typically returns 55-65 mpg on a combined cycle, though real-world figures at this mileage may be lower if the engine has wear. Road tax for a vehicle of this age and Euro 4 emission status is generally £190-£210 per year, though you should confirm the exact band against the V5C document. Insurance sits in group 7-12 for this Focus variant, making it one of the more affordable family cars to insure, particularly for drivers with some experience.

Annual maintenance costs will likely be higher than for lower-mileage equivalents, with budget figures of £400-£600 per year for routine servicing and wear items being realistic. At 155,243 miles, components such as the timing belt (typically due every 5-7 years or 100,000 miles), clutch, and suspension bushes are all approaching or past their expected replacement intervals. Diesel servicing with oil and filter changes every 12,000-18,000 miles remains important. Parts availability for the Focus is excellent through Ford main dealers and aftermarket suppliers, keeping repair costs reasonable compared to less common models.

Begin with a thorough inspection of the engine bay, paying particular attention to oil condition, coolant level, and any signs of leaks from the turbo, injectors, or oil filter housing — all known weak points on the 1.6 TDCi. Check the condition of the timing belt (visible through the cam cover on some variants) or ask for documentary proof of when it was last changed. Listen for any knocking, rattling, or excessive vibration on cold start, which can indicate worn engine internals or timing chain stretch on related variants.

The MOT history does not record specific defect categories for the two January 2025 failures, which is unusual — typically failures list items such as tyres, headlamps, or corrosion (the top three failure reasons for this model). Request the full MOT failure sheets directly from the DVSA database (using the V5C reference) to understand exactly what was rejected and what was subsequently repaired. Common failure items for this Focus include front tyre wear, headlamp alignment or bulb failure, and underbody corrosion — all worth checking visually yourself.

Inspect the underside of the vehicle on a ramp if possible, looking for corrosion on the suspension components, exhaust system, and subframe — corrosion is a particularly common MOT failure point across the model range. Test the clutch for slipping under load and check for any juddering that suggests dual-mass flywheel wear. Verify that all warning lights extinguish promptly after startup and that the DPF light does not illuminate during a test drive, as DPF issues are a frequent and expensive problem on high-mileage diesel Focus models.