2009 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · WN59 GDO

A pattern of repeated front-end wear advisories defines the mechanical profile of this 2009 Ford Focus, with brake pads and front tyres appearing across multiple consecutive tests. The most recent examination on 4 October 2025 returned a Pass, but it carried four advisories: front brake pads wearing thin, both front tyres worn close to the legal limit on their outer edges, and slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint. The previous test in September 2024 noted similar brake pad wear alongside both front pads, plus general corrosion across the rear axle and suspension components, though this was assessed as not affecting structural rigidity. The earlier 2022 and 2021 tests each flagged the nearside and offside front tyres as worn close to the legal limit, and the 2021 pass also recorded both rear position lamps emitting an incorrect colour, categorised as minor defects. Taken together, the trajectory points to a chassis that is roadworthy but consistently producing the same wear-related advisories year after year, particularly affecting the front axle. With 87,292 miles recorded over approximately seventeen years, this Focus has covered around 5,135 miles annually, a notably low accumulation rate for its age. The mileage progression between tests appears broadly linear and consistent, with no sudden spikes suggesting a motorway commuter phase or any extended gaps that would imply long periods off the road. This low-mileage profile typically means the engine, gearbox, and clutch have endured relatively modest mechanical stress, though low annual use can bring its own considerations, such as ageing rubber components, dried seals, and surface corrosion on underbody parts that benefit less from regular movement. The underbody corrosion flagged in 2024 is consistent with a vehicle of this vintage and usage pattern, and should be expected to evolve slowly rather than improve. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension and braking components warrant close physical attention given the recurring advisories. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which could indicate worsening wear in the anti-roll bar ball joint or its drop link, and check for any looseness when manually pushing the wheel at the top and bottom. The brake pedal should feel firm and progressive; any judder under braking would suggest warped front discs, a common consequence of repeated pad wear episodes on this model. Steering should track straight without pulling to either side, and the front tyres should be inspected for uneven shoulder wear on the outer edges, as the MOT record has flagged this pattern repeatedly. Given the age and the underbody corrosion noted in 2024, an inspection with the vehicle raised on a ramp is strongly advisable to verify the integrity of the rear axle, trailing arms, and brake pipes, all areas where Ford Focus models of this generation can develop rust concerns. The rear position lamp issue recorded in 2021 may have been resolved by a simple bulb replacement, but it is worth confirming both rear lamps illuminate with the correct red colour. Aside from the recurring front-end wear items, the record does not show any advisory history relating to the engine, exhaust emissions, or structural corrosion affecting rigidity, which suggests the rest of the vehicle has remained largely trouble-free. The combination of consistent low mileage and stable annual advisories indicates a car that has been used gently but is now entering the phase of life where suspension joints, bushes, and brake components will increasingly demand attention.