Ford Focus Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Focus car check
Is the Ford Focus reliable? We analysed 28,316,889 real MOT tests across 2,072,617 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Focus? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Focus is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, stop lamp not working and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Focus.
Ford Focus Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Focus. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Focus MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Focus to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Focus Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Focus fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Focus Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ford Focus models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ford Focus Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Focus owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Focus MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Focus year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,552 | 90.6% | 15,930 | 22,938 | 33,761 |
| 2022 | 7,764 | 90.5% | 17,974 | 25,896 | 37,578 |
| 2021 | 23,663 | 88.0% | 20,606 | 32,207 | 47,621 |
| 2020 | 119,711 | 88.1% | 21,440 | 32,708 | 47,484 |
| 2019 | 272,890 | 86.3% | 23,244 | 35,164 | 50,629 |
| 2018 | 297,062 | 87.0% | 23,968 | 36,698 | 53,437 |
| 2017 | 494,511 | 87.2% | 28,191 | 42,835 | 62,081 |
| 2016 | 561,992 | 85.3% | 31,621 | 48,156 | 69,655 |
| 2015 | 764,447 | 84.1% | 34,917 | 53,320 | 76,285 |
| 2014 | 897,160 | 80.4% | 38,168 | 58,353 | 82,581 |
| 2013 | 1,033,980 | 77.8% | 41,182 | 62,763 | 88,399 |
| 2012 | 1,069,283 | 78.0% | 42,799 | 66,103 | 93,344 |
| 2011 | 1,147,443 | 76.4% | 45,181 | 69,917 | 98,141 |
| 2010 | 1,159,689 | 74.9% | 45,209 | 70,575 | 99,550 |
| 2009 | 1,433,270 | 74.5% | 46,124 | 71,529 | 100,101 |
| 2008 | 1,569,315 | 74.2% | 47,887 | 74,194 | 103,052 |
| 2007 | 1,863,760 | 73.9% | 48,324 | 74,402 | 103,100 |
| 2006 | 1,872,015 | 74.0% | 48,849 | 75,121 | 103,528 |
| 2005 | 2,011,267 | 72.7% | 48,361 | 74,404 | 102,651 |
| 2004 | 1,863,098 | 71.3% | 47,716 | 73,902 | 102,857 |
How Long Does a Ford Focus Last?
Based on 2,072,617 Ford Focus vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Focus Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Focus MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ford Focus
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.6% MOT pass rate from 3,552 tests
65.2% MOT pass rate from 100,996 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Focus is 2023, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.6% across 3,552 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Focus Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus THIS CAR | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| Ford Mondeo | 70.1% | 12,239,875 | 94,838 mi | 33 yrs |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 69.7% | 26,893,546 | 58,908 mi | 33 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Transit (68.7% pass rate), the Ford Focus outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Focus you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford FocusShould you buy a used Ford Focus?
The Ford Focus has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.8% across 28,316,889 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Focus are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,055,468 recorded failures), stop lamp not working (415,965), and brake pipe excessively corroded (379,900). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ford Focus with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Ford Focus owner drives around 6,500 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ford Focus models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.