2018 Ford Focus · 159,728 MOT tests
2018 Ford Focus reliability
2018 Ford Focuss fail 14.3% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 23 Focus years (159,728 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- 14.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 4
- 36,426
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 4
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 159,728
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2018 against the years either side
- 2017 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does worse)
- 2019 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 1.4% of tests fail here (49% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 48% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2018 car carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
Common problems
What fails on a 2018 Ford Focus
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.6%
- Lights and electrics4.6%
- Brakes2.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.4%
- Suspension0.5%
- Number plates and VIN0.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.75%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.73%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.12%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.04%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Headlamp aim set too low 0.69%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Side repeater not working 0.69%
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.61%) · Brake pads wearing thin (9.17%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.24%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (3.45%) · Child seat limits belt inspection (2.25%) · Nail in tyre, monitor (2.15%)
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 2018 Ford Focus reliable?
2018 Ford Focuss fail 14.3% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 23 Focus years (159,728 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2018 Ford Focus MOT?
Most often tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.75% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.73% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.12% of tests).
How many miles should a 2018 Ford Focus have done?
At its MOT aged about 4, a typical 2018 Ford Focus shows 36,426 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2018 car?
A car first registered in 2018 carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
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