2009 Ford Focus · 191,779 MOT tests
2009 Ford Focus reliability
2009 Ford Focuss fail 42% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 23 Focus years (191,779 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- 42%
- 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 13
- 99,380
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 191,779
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2009 against the years either side
- 2008 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does worse)
- 2010 cars: 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2009 car does better)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 23.3% of tests fail here (24% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 60% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2009 car carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
Common problems
What fails on a 2009 Ford Focus
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.3%
- Suspension17.2%
- Tyres9.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.9%
- Brakes6.4%
- Body, chassis and structure5.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.79%
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 5.97%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.78%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.6%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.43%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.7%
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 (19.57%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (15.08%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.54%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.67%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.27%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.56%)
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 2009 Ford Focus reliable?
2009 Ford Focuss fail 42% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 23 Focus years (191,779 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2009 Ford Focus MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.79% of tests), position lamp not working (5.97% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (4.78% of tests).
How many miles should a 2009 Ford Focus have done?
At its MOT aged about 13, a typical 2009 Ford Focus shows 99,380 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2009 car?
A car first registered in 2009 carries a 58 plate (January–February 2009), or a 09 plate (March–August 2009), or a 59 plate (September–December 2009).
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