2002 Ford Focus · 38,373 MOT tests
2002 Ford Focus reliability
2002 Ford Focuss fail 48.2% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 23 Focus years (38,373 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- 48.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 99,251
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 38,373
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- Weak spot: suspension, 22.4% of tests fail here (41% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 9% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Ford Focus
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.3%
- Suspension22.4%
- Brakes13.7%
- Body, chassis and structure9.5%
- Tyres8.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 7.03%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Stop lamp not working 6.12%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 4.23%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.77%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.73%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Rear fog lamp not working 3.67%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (19.65%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.98%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (15.6%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.41%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.02%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (9.97%)
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 2002 Ford Focus reliable?
2002 Ford Focuss fail 48.2% of first MOT tests, 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 23 Focus years (38,373 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Ford Focus MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (7.03% of tests), stop lamp not working (6.12% of tests), position lamp not working (4.23% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Ford Focus have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Ford Focus shows 99,251 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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