Used Ford Focus Buying Guide: MOT Data & Checks

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The Ford Focus achieved a 67.8 percent MOT pass rate in 2025 data, which is 1.3 percentage points below the same-age benchmark. There were 862774 licensed examples on UK roads in 2026 Q2. Buyers should consult the free GOV.UK services and the guides named in this page.

Data: DVSA MOT tests 2025 · DfT licensing 2026 Q2 · updated 15 October 2026

At a glance

On UK roads: 862,774 licensed cars (2026 Q2), down from 1,149,721 in 2021 Q2
MOT pass rate (first test, 2025): 67.8% (-1.3 pts vs all cars of the same age)
Tests analysed: 897,506
Recall campaigns: 59 since 1992

Pass rate by year of first use

The table shows the MOT pass rate and benchmark for the Ford Focus by first-use year with the number of tests in 2025 data. Initial MOT tests in 2025, class 4. Rows with fewer than 500 tests hidden.
Year	Tests	Pass rate	vs same-age average
1999	941	52.9%	-11.7 pts
2000	1,765	53.3%	-9.4 pts
2001	4,024	54.9%	-6.2 pts
2002	7,053	53%	-6.5 pts
2003	9,105	55.2%	-3.5 pts
2004	13,323	52.4%	-5.4 pts
2005	18,504	54.4%	-3.2 pts
2006	26,265	57.2%	+0.2 pts
2007	34,589	57.1%	-0.3 pts
2008	39,199	55.6%	-1.6 pts
2009	48,571	55.7%	-2.6 pts
2010	49,429	56.6%	-2.7 pts
2011	59,302	58.1%	-3.1 pts
2012	64,205	61.7%	-1.8 pts
2013	70,213	62.2%	-3.6 pts
2014	72,098	64.3%	-4.3 pts
2015	74,067	72.4%	+0.5 pts
2016	63,224	76.9%	+2 pts
2017	63,270	80.8%	+2.6 pts
2018	47,246	81.8%	+0.9 pts
2019	55,241	81.5%	-2 pts
2020	37,990	85.7%	-0.3 pts
2021	20,848	88.8%	+1.6 pts
2022	15,837	90.1%	+1.6 pts
2023	1,130	91.1%	-0.5 pts

Where they fail

The table shows the percentage of tests with a failure in each area for the Ford Focus in 2025 data.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: 15.5% of initial tests
Suspension: 10.2% of initial tests
Tyres: 8% of initial tests
Brakes: 5.4% of initial tests
Visibility: 4.3% of initial tests
Noise, emissions and leaks: 3.8% of initial tests
Body, chassis, structure: 3.3% of initial tests
Steering: 1.4% of initial tests
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems: 0.7% of initial tests
Road Wheels: 0.5% of initial tests
Identification of the vehicle: 0.4% of initial tests
Speedometer and speed limiter: 0% of initial tests
Seat belt installation check: 0% of initial tests
Buses and coaches supplementary tests: 0% of initial tests

Top failure items

The table shows the most common failure items recorded for the Ford Focus in 2025 data with the percentage of tests affected.
#	Item (DVSA wording)	% of tests
1	Position lamp: not working	3.94%
2	Coil spring: fractured or broken	3.07%
3	Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect	3%
4	Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	2.78%
5	Stop lamp: not working	2.25%
6	Condition: has ply or cords exposed	1.88%
7	Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	1.8%
8	Headlamp: not working on dipped beam	1.69%
9	Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn	1.66%
10	Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid	1.6%

What to check on a viewing

The top MOT failure items for the Ford Focus in 2025 DVSA data (tested cars, not any one vehicle). Before viewing, check advisories at https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history.

Sidelights (position lamps) (3.94% of tests)

Switch on the sidelights and walk round the car.
Check the rear lamps and any LED units for dead sections.

If you find it: Usually a cheap fix; use it to negotiate.

Coil springs (3.07% of tests)

Check the car sits level on flat ground.
Listen for clunks over bumps and when turning at low speed.
Check the MOT history for spring advisories.

If you find it: Negotiate or ask for a repair receipt; a broken spring is a fail.

Headlamp beam pattern (3.0% of tests)

Shine dipped beams on a wall and compare the pattern on each side.
Check lenses for misting, cracks or a non-matching unit.

If you find it: Ask about accident repair; negotiate if a lamp needs replacing.

Tyre tread depth (2.78% of tests)

Check tread on every tyre, inner edges too (the legal minimum is 1.6mm).
Look for uneven wear, which can point to alignment issues.
Check the MOT history for tyre advisories.

If you find it: Negotiate the cost of new tyres.

Brake lights (2.25% of tests)

Have someone watch while you press the brake pedal.
Check all brake lights, including the high-level one.

If you find it: Usually a bulb or switch; negotiate.

Tyre condition: exposed cords (1.88% of tests)

Turn the steering to full lock and check the inner shoulders.
Look for bulges, cracks and exposed cords on every sidewall.

If you find it: Exposed cords mean an unroadworthy tyre: don’t drive it until replaced.

Brake pads (1.8% of tests)

Look through the wheel spokes at pad thickness and disc lips.
On the test drive, feel for judder, pulling or grinding.

If you find it: Negotiate or ask for a repair receipt for recent brake work.

Dipped headlamps (1.69% of tests)

Check both dipped beams, main beam and any LED strips work.
Watch for flicker or a dashboard bulb warning.

If you find it: Bulbs are cheap; failed LED units can cost more, so negotiate.

Suspension bushes (1.66% of tests)

Listen for knocks over bumps and when braking.
Feel for wandering or a loose feel on the road.

If you find it: Negotiate, and check the MOT history for bush advisories.

Windscreen washers (1.6% of tests)

Run the washers: jets should hit the screen evenly.
Check for leaks under the washer bottle.

If you find it: Often just a blocked jet; minor.

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19.39% of tests)
Condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (9.48% of tests)
Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (8.79% of tests)
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (8.62% of tests)
Brake pads: wearing thin (8.15% of tests)

Typical mileage at MOT

The table shows the median mileage recorded at MOT for the Ford Focus by age with the number of tests in 2025 data.
Age (years)	Median miles
3	22,960
4	31,559
5	38,566
6	45,886
7	50,877
8	60,322
9	69,020
10	77,549
11	83,967
12	91,240
13	97,235
14	102,897
15	103,348

Median recorded at test; individual cars vary.

Fuel mix and fleet

Petrol: 66%
Diesel: 29.7%
Hybrid electric (petrol): 4.3%

862,774 licensed and 106,848 SORN (2026 Q2).

Recalls

59 recall campaigns match this model in the DVSA recalls data (downloaded 2026-10-14).

15/06/2026 · Transit Courier: Diesel DV-Neo Engine Coolant Pump Update · build 05/10/2020 to 05/10/2020
05/05/2026 · Multi Vehicle Line (MVL): Telecommunications Control Module (TCU) loss of Function Software Update · build 18/10/2019 to 21/10/2022
18/03/2026 · 25C75 Focus – Lane Centering Assist Software Update · build 11/04/2024 to 30/04/2024
13/02/2026 · 25C77 Focus Telematics Control Unit Software Update · build 24/08/2018 to 24/08/2018
24/09/2025 · Frozen Rearview Camera Screen · build 11/11/2022 to 22/09/2023

Recalls apply to specific build ranges. Check a particular car on GOV.UK: Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK).

Free official checks before you buy

Buyer notes

MOT data describes test outcomes, not overall vehicle condition. The Ford Focus recorded 897506 MOT tests in 2025 with a pass rate of 67.8 percent. This is 1.3 points below the same-age benchmark of 69.1 percent. Pass rates were below the benchmark for most years from 1999 to 2014. Newer examples from 2015 onwards generally performed closer to or above the benchmark. The most common failure areas were Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment at 15.5 percent of tests, Suspension at 10.2 percent, Tyres at 8 percent, Brakes at 5.4 percent and Visibility at 4.3 percent. The top failure items included Position lamp: not working at 3.94 percent of tests, Coil spring: fractured or broken at 3.07 percent and Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 3 percent. Common advisories related to tyre tread depth, tyre condition and suspension bushes. There were 862774 licensed Ford Focus vehicles on UK roads in 2026 Q2, down from 1149721 five years earlier. Recalls apply to specific build ranges; buyers should check a specific car on GOV.UK. Before viewing, check the MOT history at the free GOV.UK service. Look at sidelights, coil springs, headlamp aim, tyre tread and condition, brake lights, brake pads, dipped headlamps, suspension bushes and windscreen washers. Use the free GOV.UK check MOT history and check vehicle recall services.

Frequently asked questions

How many Ford Focus cars are licensed in the UK?

There were 862774 licensed in 2026 Q2.

What was the Ford Focus MOT pass rate in 2025?

The pass rate was 67.8 percent, 1.3 points below the benchmark of 69.1 percent.

What are the most common MOT failure items for the Ford Focus?

Position lamp not working at 3.94 percent, coil spring fractured or broken at 3.07 percent and headlamp aim incorrect at 3 percent.

Data sources and methodology

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Sources: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results (2025); DfT/DVLA Vehicle licensing statistics, VEH0120 (2026 Q2); DVSA vehicle safety recalls (downloaded 2026-10-14). Analysis by Check My Vehicle. Not endorsed by DVSA, DVLA or DfT. How we calculate these figures

Last updated 15 October 2026 · Written by Kate