2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · YP59 YFC

The 2009 Ford Fiesta holds a valid MOT pass certificate dated 25 November 2025, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than consistently stable. On that same day the vehicle first failed with a dangerously worn front brake disc and pads below 1.5 mm, alongside a structural defect on the nearside rear sill where seat belt anchorage strength was significantly reduced. A rapid retest passed, yet the tester still flagged a slightly distorted nearside rear wheel. The front brake failure and sill corrosion appearing together in late 2025 suggest a period of neglected upkeep that was only partially addressed to secure a pass. The underlying structural concern around the seat belt anchorage area warrants close scrutiny. At 101,253 miles the car has covered only around 5,956 miles per year over its seventeen-year life, which is low for a small petrol hatchback. The mileage progression tells a story of changing usage patterns. Between the December 2022 test at 81,702 miles and November 2023 at 94,714 miles the car covered roughly 13,000 miles in under a year. The following year to December 2024 saw a much smaller increase to 97,664 miles, and from that point to the November 2025 test at 101,253 miles the car added just 3,589 miles in almost twelve months. This tapering off suggests either a change of keeper or the vehicle spending long periods stationary, which can accelerate corrosion of brake components, tyres, and suspension bushes through lack of use. A buyer should inspect the nearside rear sill and seat belt anchorage area in person, looking for fresh underseal or cosmetic cover-up over corroded metal. The slightly distorted rear wheel needs checking for cracks or kerb damage, and the tyre on that corner should be examined for uneven wear. The recurring steering rack free play flagged in both November 2023 and December 2024 indicates worn inner track ends or rack bushings that were never rectified. Front brake components were replaced or machined before the November 2025 pass, but the underlying pattern of running pads to the minimum limit and scoring discs points to a driver who deferred servicing. Given the low annual mileage, suspension bushes, coil springs, and shock absorbers may look tidy but could be perished from age rather than wear. Exhaust mounts, flexible hoses, and rubber brake lines should be checked for cracking. The emissions system also deserves attention, as short-trip use on a seventeen-year-old petrol engine often leads to a tired catalytic converter and lambda sensor degradation that may not produce an immediate MOT failure but will affect running and future test outcomes.