Ford Focus
Registered from 1998 to 2025.
About this model
The Ford Focus is a compact car manufactured by Ford from 1998 until 2025. It was created under Alexander Trotman's Ford 2000 plan, which aimed to globalize model development and sell one compact vehicle worldwide. The original Focus was primarily designed by Ford of Europe's German and British teams. Production of the fourth generation Focus began in 2018 in Germany and China. In 2025, Ford announced that the Focus will no longer be built, in line with an announcement made in 2022.
From the Wikipedia article Ford Focus, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2011 1.6 petrol. 11,916 of 51,254 tests failed, 23%.
Better than 44% of 2011 cars. The typical one fails 22%, across 924 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 53% | 6,353 |
| Lights and electrics | 41% | 4,870 |
| Tyres and wheels | 25% | 2,955 |
| Brakes | 16% | 1,937 |
| Visibility | 13% | 1,513 |
| Body and structure | 9% | 1,097 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A suspension component fractured or likely to fail
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 53% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A suspension component fractured or likely to fail
- Tyres and wheels — 25% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Brakes — 16% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 41% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 13% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Body and structure — 9% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 30% of its inspections, against the 26% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 10% | 10% | 201 | |
| 20–40k miles | 13% | 14% | 2,031 | |
| 40–60k miles | 18% | 18% | 6,964 | |
| 60–80k miles | 22% | 21% | 12,754 | |
| 80–100k miles | 25% | 24% | 14,342 | |
| 100–120k miles | 27% | 25% | 8,989 | |
| 120–140k miles | 28% | 26% | 3,876 | |
| 140–160k miles | 29% | 26% | 1,336 | |
| 160–180k miles | 30% | 27% | 441 | |
| 180–200k miles | 30% | 26% | 158 | |
| 200k+ miles | 30% | 26% | 93 |
51,185 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1.0 petrol · 123 hp · 1376 kg · 2700 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 1.0 petrol · 125 hp · 1356 kg · 2700 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.0 petrol · 1377 kg · 2700 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.0 petrol · 1373 kg · 2700 mm wheelbase · 6.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.0 petrol · 1330 kg · 2648 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1.0 petrol · 123 hp · 1296 kg · 2648 mm wheelbase · 4.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.0 petrol · 111 hp · 1304 kg · 2648 mm wheelbase · 4.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.0 petrol · 113 hp · 1296 kg · 2648 mm wheelbase · 4.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.6 diesel · 105 hp · 1353 kg · 2639 mm wheelbase · 4.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.6 diesel · 105 hp · 1386 kg · 2648 mm wheelbase · 4.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.6 diesel · 1409 kg · 2648 mm wheelbase · 4.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 1.6 petrol · 1365 kg · 2640 mm wheelbase · 6.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00053/20
The pins of the Power Distribution Box (PDB) might have been defectively manufactured and cause an intermittent or poor connection. Consequently, some functions of the PCB might be intermittently disrupted, causing the vehicle to stall or to run under in-optimal conditions, increasing the risk of an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00141/24
The engine control unit does not correctly detect overheating, which can allow the engine to overheat, leading to a leak of engine oil. Leaking oil can drop onto the road and create a risk of injuries to other road traffic participants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0028/19
The clutch pressure plate may break. This may result in reduced vehicle performance.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00940/23
The panoramic sunroof trim panel may be incorrectly attached and may come off while the vehicle is in motion, creating a risk of an accident and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00942/23
Oil can leak onto or under the engine, increasing the risk of skidding for other road users, and/or fire in the engine compartment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0104/19
The brake pedal hinge bolt may not be adequate and may break. This might lead to reduced braking performance.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01682/21
If the earth cable of the 48-V battery in the Focus is not fully secured, this can cause electrical problems and overheating of the earth cable. This can cause a vehicle fire in extreme cases. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0169/18
The alloy wheels may have a casting defect which could lead to a premature fatigue crack. This could result in an unexpected alloy wheel failure which could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Recall of the product from end users
13 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.