2012 Ford Focus · 225,663 MOT tests
2012 Ford Focus reliability
2012 Ford Focuss fail 35.5% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 23 Focus years (225,663 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- 35.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 87,111
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 225,663
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- 2013 cars: 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 16.6% of tests fail here (17% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 28% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Ford Focus
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics16.6%
- Suspension13.4%
- Tyres7.6%
- Brakes5.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.3%
- Body, chassis and structure3.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.34%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 3.56%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.12%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.1%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.18%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Stop lamp not working 1.92%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.92%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.43%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.66%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.65%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.5%) · Indicator lens slightly discoloured (3.84%)
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 2012 Ford Focus reliable?
2012 Ford Focuss fail 35.5% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 23 Focus years (225,663 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Ford Focus MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (6.34% of tests), position lamp not working (3.56% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.12% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Ford Focus have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Ford Focus shows 87,111 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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