2004 Ford Focus · 61,457 MOT tests
2004 Ford Focus reliability
2004 Ford Focuss fail 48.6% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 23 Focus years (61,457 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- 48.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 101,563
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 61,457
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 8% of tests fail here (95% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 14% 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
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24%
- Suspension22.7%
- Brakes12.3%
- Body, chassis and structure8.7%
- Tyres8.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.2%
- Steering8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 6.38%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 5.3%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Position lamp not working 4.42%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rear fog lamp not working 4.19%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.92%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.9%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.59%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (17.36%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.14%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.08%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.03%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.51%)
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 2004 Ford Focus reliable?
2004 Ford Focuss fail 48.6% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 23 Focus years (61,457 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Ford Focus MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (6.38% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (5.3% of tests), position lamp not working (4.42% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Ford Focus have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Ford Focus shows 101,563 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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