2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · WN58 DBY

A persistent gearbox oil seal leak is the defining mechanical thread running through this Ford Fiesta's MOT history and warrants close scrutiny before purchase. The 2022 test first flagged an offside front gearbox oil seal seepage as an advisory, and by 2023 this had deteriorated into a Major failure due to oil leaking excessively from the transmission, preventing the vehicle from passing on that occasion. Although the vehicle subsequently passed at the 2023 retest with no defects recorded, the underlying seal issue has not been definitively resolved in the documented record and could represent an ongoing cost item, particularly given the transmission will continue to accumulate wear at over 94,000 miles. Steering irregularities compound this concern, with advisories recorded for a slightly rough steering system in 2021 and slight free play detected at the steering wheel in 2025, suggesting progressive wear in the steering rack or its linkages over the intervening period. The June 2026 pass with only a deteriorated rear registration plate advisory indicates the car is currently roadworthy, but the cumulative trend points to a transmission sealing issue and steering wear that any prospective buyer should treat as live concerns. The recorded mileage of 94,386 miles across approximately seventeen years equates to an annual accumulation of around 5,552 miles, which sits well below the typical mileage for a vehicle of this age. There are no extended gaps between successive MOT tests in the documented record, suggesting the car has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for long periods. Lower annual mileage of this nature generally reduces wear on high-stress components such as the clutch, engine internals, and gearbox synchros, but it can accelerate deterioration of rubber and polymer items that suffer from underuse, including suspension bushes, drive shaft boots, and fluid seals. The recorded gearbox oil seal leak would be consistent with hardened or perished sealing material becoming evident as the car accumulates warm running cycles, and the steering rack free play is similarly typical of linkages and internal components developing slack on a car that has been exercised gently rather than worked hard on long runs. The gearbox oil seal leak should be the primary focus of any pre-purchase inspection. A thorough examination should look for fresh oil staining on the lower transmission casing, drips on the undertray or ground beneath the engine bay, and any signs that the level has been topped up between services. On a test drive, listen for any whining or humming from the transmission that intensifies with load, particularly in third and fourth gear, and watch for oil warning indications or a rising temperature gauge if it can be monitored. The steering components flagged in 2021 and 2025 warrant a slow-speed lock-to-lock check for clonking or ratcheting sensations, with attention paid to any slack in the steering wheel before the front wheels begin to respond, indicating wear in the rack itself rather than the track rod ends. Uneven tyre wear, particularly on the inner or outer edges of the front tyres, would suggest the steering geometry has been affected by worn linkages and should be investigated by placing the front wheels on a ramp. The windscreen damage on the offside front lower area was recorded as both a Minor defect at the 2023 failure and again at the 2024 pass, indicating a chip or crack that has either persisted or recurred and should be inspected for any spreading that might affect the driver's view or progress to the point of failure. The rear registration plate deterioration flagged at the 2026 test is a cosmetic item and should be straightforward to address with a replacement plate, though it would be worth confirming the original plate format remains compliant. Given the transmission and steering wear pattern documented across multiple years, a competent independent inspection with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be advisable before purchase, paying particular attention to the condition of the gearbox seals, steering rack mounting bushes, and any signs of oil contamination reaching the clutch or surrounding components.