2008 Ford Focus · 170,593 MOT tests
2008 Ford Focus reliability
2008 Ford Focuss fail 43.6% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 23 Focus years (170,593 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- 43.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 14
- 103,707
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 14
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 170,593
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- 2009 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does better)
- Weak spot: tyres, 9.3% of tests fail here (20% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 55% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Ford Focus
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.5%
- Suspension18.7%
- Tyres9.3%
- Brakes7.5%
- Body, chassis and structure7.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.32%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 5.01%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.9%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.27%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.41%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.87%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (19.73%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (13.48%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (10.41%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.37%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.3%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.01%)
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 2008 Ford Focus reliable?
2008 Ford Focuss fail 43.6% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 23 Focus years (170,593 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Ford Focus MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.32% of tests), position lamp not working (5.01% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.9% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Ford Focus have done?
At its MOT aged about 14, a typical 2008 Ford Focus shows 103,707 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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