2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2L Petrol · YR59 SHX

The 2009 Ford Fiesta passed its most recent MOT on 15 October 2025 at 68,841 miles, but the record reveals a mixed maintenance picture. Two advisories for corroded front brake pipes, obscured by grease or contamination, carried over from the failed test two days prior, indicating the tester flagged active corrosion risk rather than a one-off surface issue. A frayed offside rear seat belt webbing advisory also persisted across both October 2025 tests, suggesting the owner deferred a simple replacement. The suspension arm ball joint failure that caused the 13 October failure was rectified before the pass, yet the recurrence of brake pipe corrosion and belt damage points to a reactive rather than preventative maintenance approach. The trend is neither clearly worsening nor resolving; it shows selective fixes rather than systematic upkeep. At roughly 4,049 miles per year over 17 years, this Fiesta has covered exceptionally low mileage for its age. The 2024 test at 66,346 miles recorded zero defects, a clean result that contrasts sharply with the cluster of failures emerging in September 2023 and October 2025. The 2,495-mile jump between October 2024 and October 2025 is the largest single-year increase in the record, yet the car still sits well below average annual use. Low mileage can mask deterioration from age rather than wear, particularly on rubber components, brake lines, and belts, which degrade with time regardless of use. A buyer should prioritise a close inspection of the front brake pipe condition, especially where corrosion was noted under grease or protective covering, as concealed pitting can compromise hydraulic integrity. The offside rear seat belt webbing requires replacement before the next test, and any fraying or stitching damage should be assessed for immediate safety. The September 2023 failure flagged excessively worn rear axle swivel pin bushes on both sides, a defect that can cause vague rear-end handling and uneven tyre wear if left unattended. Although the car passed in 2024 and 2025 without this being re-flagged, a physical check of the rear suspension bushes and ball joints is advisable to confirm they were replaced rather than overlooked. The major exhaust leak and Lambda reading failure from 2023 also warrant a visual and emissions check, as a deteriorating exhaust can affect both performance and catalytic converter efficiency over time.