2004 Ford Focus C-Max · 10,616 MOT tests
2004 Ford Focus C-Max reliability
2004 Ford Focus C-Maxs fail 51.3% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 5 Focus C-Max years (10,616 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focus C-Maxs: 48.7%)
- 51.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focus C-Maxs: 48.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 114,716
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 10,616
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 11.5% of tests fail here (60% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 19% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Ford Focus C-Max
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26%
- Suspension25.3%
- Brakes12.6%
- Tyres11.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.1%
- Body, chassis and structure8.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 8.15%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.41%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 4.98%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 4.63%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 4.2%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.02%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (22.65%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.36%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (11.93%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (11.3%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.28%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (9.74%)
Is a 2004 Ford Focus C-Max reliable?
2004 Ford Focus C-Maxs fail 51.3% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 5 Focus C-Max years (10,616 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Ford Focus C-Max MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (8.15% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (6.41% of tests), position lamp not working (4.98% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Ford Focus C-Max have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Ford Focus C-Max shows 114,716 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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