2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · WF09 PCZ

The defining mechanical story of this 2009 Ford Fiesta centres on a progressive deterioration of its front-end steering and suspension components, with the most recent MOT on 2 March 2026 recording a pass with no advisories, suggesting either recent remedial work or a stable state following the immediate-prior failure. The test history reveals a clear pattern: the 2023 entry recorded deteriorated ball joint dust covers on both sides, a 2024 advisory noted a slight play in the offside front suspension arm ball joint, and by the January 2026 test the steering rack inner joints on both sides were flagged with play alongside a general front steering play advisory. This sequence points to wear accumulating in the front suspension and steering geometry over the past three years, culminating in the only major defects on file (failed position lamp and missing side repeater) in February 2026, which were rectified within days for the early March retest. The presence of these recurring front-end advisories, even with current pass status, represents the most significant area warranting scrutiny. Against a vehicle age of seventeen years, the recorded 84,778 miles equates to an average accumulation of just under 5,000 miles annually, which is notably low for a car of this vintage and suggests either extended periods of limited use or genuine low-mileage motoring. This usage profile mechanically translates to less wear on the engine, clutch, and gearbox internals, but carries well-known implications for ancillary components that suffer from prolonged standing: rubber bushes, drive gaiters, brake calliper slides, and underbody anti-corrosion treatments are all susceptible to degradation when a vehicle is used sparingly. There is no evidence in the test record of extended off-road gaps exceeding typical winter lay-ups, and the annual testing cadence has been broadly consistent since 2022, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular though modest use. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension and steering assembly should be the primary focus of any physical inspection and test drive. The progressive ball joint dust cover deterioration recorded in 2023, followed by actual ball joint play in 2024, suggests that the lower wishbones or replacement ball joints may now be approaching a threshold where re-examination is warranted. During a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end when traversing speed bumps or potholes, pay attention to any vagueness or delay in steering response, and feel for vibration or shimmy through the steering wheel which could indicate worn inner tie rod or rack joints consistent with the 2026 advisories. With the engine off, manually check the front wheels for vertical and horizontal play with the steering in the straight-ahead position, and inspect the condition of the lower ball joint boots for any renewed splitting or grease loss. The remaining recorded advisories, while not currently flagged as failures, also deserve physical verification. The 2024 advisory of an oil leak that was not excessive warrants a check of the underbonnet and undertray for fresh oil residue, particularly around the cam cover gasket and sump plug area common to this generation of Fiesta. The nearside front tyre having been worn close to the legal limit and the offside rear tyre showing perishing or cracking in 2024 indicates the need to confirm that the current tyres are of recent manufacture, with adequate tread depth across the full width, and free from sidewall cracking consistent with age-related rubber degradation. The minor direction indicator lens defect recorded in early 2025 and the 2023 stop lamp failure are isolated electrical issues, but a full lighting check at the time of viewing remains prudent given the recent February 2026 lamp-related failure. Finally, although no corrosion advisories appear on the MOT record, the modest annual mileage and vehicle age together justify a careful examination of the underbody, sills, and suspension subframe mounting points for any surface rust that may be developing beyond what annual testing alone would detect.