2009 Ford Fiesta 1.4L Diesel · YP09 YFD

Chronic suspension and brake deterioration sit at the centre of this Fiesta's mechanical story, with the record showing a failed brake hydraulic line and bald front tyres at the 2023 test, followed by recurring rear axle bush wear and a worn front brake disc on more recent examinations. The October 2025 test was a pass, but it carried three advisories: a front brake disc worn though not excessively, an oil leak classified as not excessive, and a minor exhaust gas leak. The January 2024 test produced a retest-style outcome, initially failing on a dangerous nearside front brake pipe leaking from the ABS pump area near the bulkhead, then passing the same day once rectified, while still logging both rear axle bushes as slightly worn and a minor central windscreen chip. The earlier 2023 entry shows a pattern of safety-critical neglect at that point, with two dangerous bald front tyres, an inoperative hazard warning lamp, and a defective wiper, alongside a clean January 2022 and 2021 record. Overall the trend across the last three years points to a vehicle that is borderline on consumable and chassis components rather than one with a steadily clean history. Mileage accumulation is unusually modest for the vehicle's age. At roughly 4,672 miles per year over seventeen years, the recorded odometer figure of 79,425 sits well below typical expectations for a 2009 supermini. The testing cadence is also uneven, with gaps between 2019 and 2021 and again between 2021 and 2022, which may indicate periods off the road or underused rather than continuous low-effort driving. Mechanically, this combination of low annual mileage and intermittent testing raises familiar concerns for vehicles of this profile, namely brake disc corrosion from extended standing, potential moisture ingress in the braking system, age-related hardening of rubber bushes and gaiters, and the kind of oil seepage around engine seals that becomes more visible once an MOT inspection is carried out. The brake pipe failure at the ABS pump in 2024, on a car of this age and mileage bracket, is consistent with corrosion of rigid hydraulic lines rather than wear from heavy use. For a prospective buyer, the rear suspension axle bushes are the priority component to assess, as they have appeared as advisories at both ends of the vehicle on the 2024 test. On a road test, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear axle over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps and potholes, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the rear end under cornering loads. The front brake disc advisory from 2025 should prompt a close inspection of disc lipping, surface rust pitting, and pad material thickness, while the test should include a firm pedal application to check for any sponginess or fluid leakage, especially around the ABS pump and bulkhead area where the 2024 failure originated, as corrosion can recur on adjacent sections of hydraulic line. An inspection of the brake pipes along the underside, paying attention to surface rust and any dampness, is essential given the vehicle's age. The oil leak advisory and exhaust gas leak from the most recent pass both warrant visual checks on a ramp or with a torch beneath the car. For the oil leak, expect to see typical seepage from the cam cover gasket, sump, or rear main seal area on a Fiesta of this age, and on the road note any blue smoke on startup or under load, or a drop in coolant or oil level between services. The exhaust leak should be traced along the system joints, particularly at the manifold gasket or front flex section, and listened for as a ticking or hissing noise on cold start that may fade as the system expands. The minor windscreen damage noted in 2024 should also be checked to ensure it has not progressed into the driver's primary line of sight, and the previous tyre issues in 2023 mean the current set should have plenty of tread and be of matching age and specification. Finally, given the periods of apparent inactivity in the testing record, the 12V battery, tyre age markings, and brake fluid condition are worth confirming as part of any pre-purchase evaluation.