1999 Ford Focus · 7,128 MOT tests
1999 Ford Focus reliability
1999 Ford Focuss fail 50.9% of first MOT tests, 32% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 23 Focus years (7,128 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- 50.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 32% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- 104,570
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 7,128
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1999 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 39% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- 2000 cars: 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does worse)
- Weak spot: suspension, 24.4% of tests fail here (74% above cars of the same age and mileage).
Common problems
What fails on a 1999 Ford Focus
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.2%
- Suspension24.4%
- Brakes16.1%
- Body, chassis and structure12.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.9%
- Tyres7.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 6%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Stop lamp not working 4.9%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.41%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Exhaust has major gas leak 4.03%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.7%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 3.66%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (19.84%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (17%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.79%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.26%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.29%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (8.82%)
Other years
Every Ford Focus year
The full picture: Ford Focus reliability. Before you pay for any Ford Focus, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1999 Ford Focus reliable?
1999 Ford Focuss fail 50.9% of first MOT tests, 32% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 23 Focus years (7,128 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1999 Ford Focus MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (6% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.9% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.41% of tests).
How many miles should a 1999 Ford Focus have done?
At its MOT aged about 24, a typical 1999 Ford Focus shows 104,570 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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