Family hatchback · 1998–2021 cars

Ford Focus reliability

The Ford Focus fails 31.8% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 3,066,819 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 48/100#28 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a Ford Focus before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 31.8%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 3% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 3,066,819; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,500; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Ford Focus has a first-time MOT fail rate of 31.8%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 3% more MOT fails, and it ranks 28 of 65 family hatchbacks. Age makes a big difference. 2016 models have 14% fewer fails than comparable cars, while 1999 models have 32% more.

A Focus can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Ask to see the MOT history before you view. Lights and electrics are its weakest area, with 19% more fails than comparable cars. On the car itself, check the coil springs for cracks or breaks, test every lamp including the position lamps, make sure the tyre tread is above 1.6mm, and confirm the headlamp beam pattern is correct.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford Focus ages

Each point is the share of Ford Focuss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Ford FocusAll cars

Ford Focus first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Ford Focus	All cars
3	12.1%	12.3%
4	14%	14.1%
5	15.4%	16.4%
6	16.8%	19.1%
7	20.4%	22.1%
8	26.2%	25.5%
9	31.8%	28.8%
10	35.1%	31.8%
11	37.4%	34.6%
12	40.3%	37.3%
13	42.2%	39.5%
14	42.4%	41.1%
15	43.2%	42.3%
16	43.4%	42.9%
17	44.8%	43.4%
18	46.7%	43.5%
19	48.2%	43.4%
20	48.5%	42.8%
21	48.3%	41.4%
22	48.3%	40.6%
23	48.8%	38.9%
24	50.8%	37.1%
25	51.5%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Ford Focus years

2016 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford Focus MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Focus	9,374	10.6%	11% fewer fails	26,613
2020 Focus	65,966	11.6%	9% fewer fails	29,898
2019 Focus	145,548	14.7%	6% more fails	33,346
2018 Focus	159,728	14.3%	4% fewer fails	36,426
2017 Focus	213,421	15.4%	14% fewer fails	46,254
2016 Focus	211,965	18%	14% fewer fails	55,261
2015 Focus	247,193	21.1%	13% fewer fails	64,429
2014 Focus	249,674	30.1%	8% more fails	72,289
2013 Focus	247,740	34.9%	12% more fails	80,409
2012 Focus	225,663	35.5%	4% more fails	87,111
2011 Focus	205,843	39.6%	7% more fails	94,086
2010 Focus	182,149	41.7%	7% more fails	96,715
2009 Focus	191,779	42%	3% more fails	99,380
2008 Focus	170,593	43.6%	3% more fails	103,707
2007 Focus	152,908	42.2%	3% fewer fails	103,316
2006 Focus	112,963	42.7%	2% fewer fails	104,945
2005 Focus	85,728	46.7%	6% more fails	104,106
2004 Focus	61,457	48.6%	12% more fails	101,563
2003 Focus	47,476	48.6%	16% more fails	95,411
2002 Focus	38,373	48.2%	15% more fails	99,251
2001 Focus	22,519	48.5%	17% more fails	101,469
2000 Focus	11,164	49.1%	22% more fails	100,967
1999 Focus	7,128	50.9%	32% more fails	104,570
1998	467	52.2%	39% more fails	100,843

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford Focus

Its weak spot is lights and electrics: 19% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics15.2%19% above avg
Suspension10.8%4% above avg
Tyres7.7%16% above avg
Brakes5.4%28% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.5%11% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%1% below avg
Body, chassis and structure3.4%17% below avg
Steering1.3%40% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.7%38% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.32% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Position lamp not working 3.27% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.77% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.61% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
5
Stop lamp not working 1.93% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.72% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.69% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.61% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Focus's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit16.88%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.93%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.29%
Brake disc pitted or scored7.28%
Brake pads wearing thin6.45%
Coil spring showing some corrosion4.6%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford Focus

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Ford Focus covers about 8,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol66.8%
Diesel33.2%
LPG0%
Hybrid0%
Electric0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Blue, Silver, Black, Grey, White

Average engine size: 1.5 litres.

Compare

How the Ford Focus compares with its rivals

Ford Focus against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi A3	24.4%	19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 1 Series	23.1%	19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Golf	25.8%	16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz A-Class	20.6%	9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda Civic	32.6%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Focus	31.8%	3% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Astra	34.5%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford Focus questions, answered

Is the Ford Focus reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford Focus is about average: it fails 31.8% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 28 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford Focus MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford Focus are coil spring fractured or broken (3.32% of tests), position lamp not working (3.27% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.77% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 15.2% of its tests.

Which Ford Focus year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (32% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford Focus do a year?

A typical Ford Focus covers about 8,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Ford Focus before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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