2009 Ford Mondeo 1.8L Diesel · YC09 WDM

A 2009 Ford Mondeo with this MOT history presents a mixed but ultimately manageable mechanical picture, defined primarily by a significant structural and fluid integrity failure in early 2017 followed by a run of broadly stable but increasingly advisory-laden tests. The most recent test on 2022-02-16 was a pass, though it came accompanied by advisories covering discoloured front direction indicators, an oil leak not deemed excessive, and notably, play in the steering rack inner joint. That same date also shows a failure entry where a nearside headlamp aim was recorded as too low, alongside advisories for front tyres worn close to the legal limit and on their edges. The rear suspension trailing arm rubber bushes deteriorated to the point of excessive movement on both sides in 2017, which is a known weakness on this generation of Mondeo, and although the subsequent tests from 2018 through 2021 passed, the rear brake discs and pads were flagged as worn or fluctuating in both 2017 and 2021, suggesting the braking system has been on a slow but steady wear trajectory. The trend overall is one of a car that had a serious mechanical intervention around 2017, returned to roadworthy status, but has been accumulating wear-related advisories on steering, brakes, and oil seals ever since. The recorded mileage of 115,248 miles across seven MOT tests from 2017 to 2022 averages out at roughly 6,700 miles per year when spread over the vehicle's 17-year life, which is broadly typical for a car of this age. The testing record itself is relatively dense, with annual checks through the late 2010s and into the early 2020s, which suggests the vehicle was in regular use and not left standing for extended periods between tests. However, there is a clear gap in the visible history between 2017 and 2026 with no recorded tests on file, meaning the vehicle has not been presented for an MOT for several years and its current roadworthiness status beyond that gap cannot be verified from the provided data. Given the cumulative mileage and the fact that the recorded tests end in early 2022, any prospective buyer should treat the absence of more recent inspection data as a significant unknown and budget accordingly for deferred maintenance on a high-mileage, ageing vehicle. Given the specific components flagged, a physical inspection and test drive should focus on the steering and rear suspension, as the play in the steering rack inner joint noted in 2022 and the bilateral trailing arm bush failure from 2017 are both areas where wear will have continued. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the rear over uneven surfaces, particularly across speed bumps, and feel for any vagueness or wandering in the steering, especially when changing direction or hitting mid-corner bumps. The front tyres were noted as worn close to the limit and on their edges in 2022, so check the current tread depth and look for uneven shoulder wear, which on a Mondeo of this mileage can point to worn front suspension components or alignment issues. The oil leak flagged as not excessive should be inspected underneath for fresh drips on the engine block or sump, and the engine bay should be checked for signs of recent sealing work or heavy grime that might mask a worsening leak. For the braking system, the repeated advisories on rear brake disc wear, scoring, and fluctuating brake performance across multiple tests indicate that the calipers, discs, and pads are likely nearing or past the point of replacement. During a road test, feel for any judder through the brake pedal, particularly under firm application from higher speeds, and listen for any grinding or scraping noises that would suggest pads have worn beyond the disc surface. The handbrake should hold the vehicle on a steep incline without creeping, as rear caliper mechanisms on high-mileage vehicles often seize or fail to self-adjust properly. Finally, ask for evidence of any post-2017 suspension rectification work, as replacing both trailing arm bushes is a substantial job and confirming that quality parts were used and properly torqued is essential before purchase, given the original failure was recorded as resulting in excessive movement.