2009 Ford Mondeo 2.2L Diesel · WM09 KDN

The most recent DVSA examination on 5 September 2025 resulted in a PASS, but five separate advisories were recorded, which indicates that while the vehicle remains roadworthy at the point of test, several components are approaching the end of their service life and should not be overlooked during purchase. The earlier history from 2023 and 2021 shows a largely stable pattern with occasional tyre advisories, and the clean passes in 2022, 2024 and 2020 (the latter on 6 August) suggest no catastrophic failures. However, the February 2020 test is notable: it produced a Dangerous failure for an Offside Front Tyre with tread depth below the legal 1.6mm limit, a Major failure for a non-functioning Offside Rear Stop Lamp, and a Major failure for an excessively worn Offside Rear Suspension Arm Pin or Bush. Given that advisories relating to rear suspension components have appeared again in 2025, the overall trend suggests a vehicle that is being maintained to a passable standard but with suspension and tyre wear that is gradually worsening, rather than improving. With 192,348 miles accumulated over approximately seventeen years, the Mondeo averages around 11,315 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a privately used family saloon of this vintage. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record suggesting long periods of standing, and the mileage progression between tests is consistent with regular use. While this is encouraging from a corrosion and battery perspective, the high cumulative mileage places considerable demand on major mechanical systems such as the clutch, dual-mass flywheel (if fitted to the manual variant), automatic transmission torque converter and valve-train components. Any prospective buyer should treat 192,348 miles as a figure at which significant reconditioning work may already have been carried out, or may now be imminent, particularly on the engine ancillaries, cooling system and exhaust. The recurring advisories for tyres warrant close attention. The 2025 test noted both front tyres and the nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit on their edges, which is a classic symptom of incorrect camber or toe geometry, or worn suspension components allowing the wheel alignment to drift. Edge wear, particularly on one side, often points to failing bushes or ball joints further up the suspension, and the buyer should physically inspect the four tyres for uneven shoulder wear and verify their manufacturing date codes to avoid fitting aged rubber that may perish prematurely. The 2025 advisory for slight play in the offside rear anti-roll bar ball joint, combined with the earlier Major failure for the offside rear suspension arm pin or bush, suggests the rear suspension is a focal area of wear. On a test drive, listen for clonking noises over speed humps, uneven road surfaces or when turning sharply at low speed; any wandering from the rear, or a knocking transmitted through the chassis, would indicate that the anti-roll bar drop links, bushes and arm pins require replacement. The advisory for thinning rear brake pads is also consistent with the high mileage, and the brake discs should be inspected for lipping, hot-spots and corrosion between the hub and disc face, as binding calipers are common on vehicles of this age. Beyond the recorded advisories, several age-related checks are appropriate for a seventeen-year-old Mondeo regardless of MOT outcome. Inspect the coolant expansion tank and hoses for staining or crystallisation, as cooling system neglect is a common cause of head gasket failure on this model, and verify when the cambelt and water pump were last replaced as these are time-sensitive services. Examine the exhaust system along its full length for corrosion, paying particular attention to the box joints and the catalytic converter mounting, and check the underbonnet wiring and battery tray for verdigris around the battery terminals, which suggests slow charging or standing periods. Lift the bonnet and inspect the CV gaiters for splits or grease loss, as a deteriorated gaiter was previously recorded on the nearside front drive shaft. Finally, examine the rear arches, sills and jacking points for structural corrosion, as Mondeos of this generation are known for rust appearing in these areas, and verify the service book stamps to confirm regular oil and filter changes. A thorough road test over uneven surfaces, combined with the inspection points outlined above, should give a clear picture of whether this high-mileage but regularly used Mondeo remains a sound purchase or whether immediate remedial work is required.