2009 Ford Fiesta: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Ford Fiesta?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Ford Fiesta than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Ball joint2.4× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  14.9% All 2009 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 3.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Wheels4.1× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  8.7% All 2009 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Steering swivel joints5.6× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  6.2% All 2009 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Track rod ends1.7× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  8.4% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Brake lights1.6× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  8% All 2009 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 4.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2009 Ford Fiesta MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Ford Fiesta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  37% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  26% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Exhaust and emissions
  12% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2009 Ford Fiesta

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• PowerShift automatic gearbox

  Automatic versions only

  Automatic Fiestas with the PowerShift gearbox can give jerky changes, hesitate, or in bad cases lose drive. Repairs can be expensive.

  At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, pull away gently from a standstill several times and drive in slow traffic. Any judder, clunk or hesitation is a warning sign.

  Source: Bumper: Ford Fiesta reliability guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Ford Fiesta

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2009 Ford Fiesta as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the 2009 Ford Fiesta as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.6× as often on the 2009 Ford Fiesta as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?