2021 Ford Focus · 9,374 MOT tests
2021 Ford Focus reliability
2021 Ford Focuss fail 10.6% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 23 Focus years (9,374 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- 10.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Focuss: 31.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- 26,613
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 9,374
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2021 against the years either side
- 2020 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2021 car does better)
- Weak spot: tyres, 5.2% of tests fail here (21% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 59% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2021 car carries a 70 plate (January–February 2021), or a 21 plate (March–August 2021), or a 71 plate (September–December 2021).
Common problems
What fails on a 2021 Ford Focus
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.2%
- Lights and electrics2.5%
- Brakes1.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.6%
- Suspension0.3%
- Seat belts and airbags0.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.11%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.82%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.81%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.53%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.41%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Headlamp aim set too low 0.37%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.53%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (3.99%) · Brake pads wearing thin (3.25%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (1.63%) · Nail in tyre, monitor (1.05%) · Tyre has a shallow cut (0.98%)
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 2021 Ford Focus reliable?
2021 Ford Focuss fail 10.6% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 23 Focus years (9,374 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2021 Ford Focus MOT?
Most often tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.11% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.82% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.81% of tests).
How many miles should a 2021 Ford Focus have done?
At its MOT aged about 3, a typical 2021 Ford Focus shows 26,613 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2021 car?
A car first registered in 2021 carries a 70 plate (January–February 2021), or a 21 plate (March–August 2021), or a 71 plate (September–December 2021).
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