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Ford Focus LX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Ford Focus LX car check

Is the Ford Focus LX reliable? We analysed 3,831 real MOT tests across 1,550 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Ford Focus LX? Enter the reg for a free check:

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,831 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
72.8%
Typical Mileage
105,012mi
Annual Mileage
4,718mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
yrs

The Ford Focus LX is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Focus LX.

Ford Focus LX Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Ford Focus LX. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Ford Focus LX Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Ford Focus LX fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 1
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 1

Ford Focus LX Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Ford Focus LX models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Anti-roll bar linkage fractured 1
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 0.61mm - 195/60R15 1

Ford Focus LX Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Ford Focus LX owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,735 mi/yr
Typical
4,718 mi/yr
Average
5,678 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,504 mi/yr

Ford Focus LX Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Ford Focus LX MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
105,012 mi
75th Percentile
128,110 mi
95th Percentile
167,312 mi
Max Recorded
9,999,999 mi

How Does the Ford Focus LX Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ford Focus LX THIS CAR 72.8% 3,831 105,012 mi — yrs
Ford Fiesta 72.8% 33,753,820 57,529 mi 34 yrs
Ford Focus 73.8% 28,316,889 72,500 mi 27 yrs
Ford Transit 68.7% 16,371,688 100,614 mi 37 yrs
Dacia Sandero Essential Lpg Tce 86.5% 1,570 24,665 mi — yrs

Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Focus LX sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

Found a Ford Focus LX 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 Focus LX

Should you buy a used Ford Focus LX?

The Ford Focus LX has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.8% across 3,831 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common failure point is brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick with 1 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is anti-roll bar linkage fractured. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ford Focus LX 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 LX owner drives around 4,718 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.

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.

Ford Focus LX — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ford Focus LX reliable?
Based on 3,831 MOT tests, the Ford Focus LX has a 72.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Ford Focus LX?
The most common failure point is brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick.
How many miles does a Ford Focus LX do per year?
The typical Ford Focus LX does around 4,718 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ford Focus LX last?
Lifespan data is not yet available for this model.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ford Focus LX?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.