Ford Focus RS Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Focus RS car check
Is the Ford Focus RS reliable? We analysed 1,722 real MOT tests across 482 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Focus RS? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Focus RS is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Focus RS.
Ford Focus RS Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Focus RS. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Focus RS Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Focus RS fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Focus RS Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ford Focus RS models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ford Focus RS Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Focus RS owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Focus RS Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Focus RS MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
How Does the Ford Focus RS Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus RS THIS CAR | 92.5% | 1,722 | 34,341 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 |
| Ducati Scrambler Icon | 92.4% | 1,099 | 4,280 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Focus RS outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Focus RS 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 RSShould you buy a used Ford Focus RS?
The Ford Focus RS has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.5% across 1,722 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common failure point is parking brake: efficiency below requirements 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 tyre has ply or cords exposed. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ford Focus RS 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 RS owner drives around 944 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.