2009 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · YF09 FGM

The 2009 Ford Mondeo presents a mixed mechanical picture following its most recent MOT pass on 21 November 2025 at 166,520 miles. The vehicle failed the previous day on 20 November 2025 at 166,519 miles, with the tester flagging a seriously corroded and weakened offside rear lower suspension arm alongside worn rear brake pads below 1.5 mm and an ineffective bonnet primary retaining device. All three were rectified before the pass the following morning. Despite this swift repair, the tester still recorded corrosion across the front and rear frame, prescribed areas, springs, arms, and other suspension components, indicating that while the immediate failure was addressed, the underlying structural deterioration remains unresolved. The maintenance trend is therefore stable but concerning, with a clear pattern of corrosion and brake wear that demands close scrutiny. The mileage progression tells a coherent story. Between the July 2022 test at 141,348 miles and the June 2023 test at 155,505 miles, the car covered 14,157 miles in under eleven months, a notably brisk pace. From June 2023 to June 2024, it added another 6,501 miles to reach 162,006, and by November 2025 it had climbed to 166,520, adding 4,514 miles over roughly seventeen months, a slower rate that may reflect reduced use or periods of standing. The annual average of approximately 9,795 miles is typical for a vehicle of this age, and the MOT record is reasonably well-populated with no suspicious gaps. The data suggests consistent but not excessive use, with wear patterns aligning broadly with the recorded mileages. A buyer inspecting this Mondeo in person should focus first on structural integrity. The repeated advisories describing corrosion across the frame, prescribed areas, springs, and suspension arms, present in both the November 2025 pass and the November 2025 failure, point to widespread underbody and subframe deterioration. The offside rear lower suspension arm was seriously weakened at the November 2025 failure, so a thorough check of all suspension mounting points, wishbones, and track rod ends for fresh corrosion or recent replacement is essential. The bonnet primary retaining device was also flagged as ineffective during the failure, meaning the bonnet may not be securely latched; verify the catch mechanism operates correctly. Brake condition requires attention too. Rear brake pads were below 1.5 mm at the November 2025 failure, and rear brake discs were noted as worn, pitted, or scored at both the 2025 and 2024 tests. Front pads and discs were flagged as wearing thin in June 2024, so expect consumable brake components to be near or at replacement threshold. The offside registration plate lamp has appeared as inoperative across multiple tests, suggesting a persistent electrical or bulb seating issue rather than a one-off fault. Front tyres have repeatedly worn close to the legal limit or on the edges, appearing in both the 2022 and 2025 records, which hints at possible tracking misalignment or suspension geometry drift linked to the corroded components. Finally, both front road wheels were noted as slightly distorted in June 2024; check for kerb damage or cracking, particularly if the wheels are original.