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Ford Focus reliability by build year

Coverage 2002-20254 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Ford Focus built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Ford Focuses built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Ford Focus by number plate

Key figure

16% of MOT tests on Ford Focuses built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford Focuses built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Ford Focus's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Focus's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Focus Mk4

Mk4 (2018-2025)

Average
PETROLDIESELHYBRID ELECTRIC

15.6% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 62,323 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Focus Mk3

Mk3 (2011-2017)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

18.3% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 29,846 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Focus Mk2

Mk2 (2005-2010)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

31.6% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 52,717 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Focus Mk1 (facelift)

Mk1 (facelift) (2002-2004)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

33.4% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 16,332 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Ford Focus.

See every build year for the Ford Focus

Side-by-side

Ford Focus generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (2018-2025)
Average
Average15.6%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 62,323 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (2011-2017)
Average
Average18.3%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 29,846 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (2005-2010)
Average
Average31.6%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 52,717 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (facelift) (2002-2004)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings33.4%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 16,332 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Focus, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Ford Focus fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ford Focus ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
20,0329.2%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
30,79411.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
51,83614.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
60,82616.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
62,32315.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
77,84417.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
85,70520.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
97,80623.9%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
96,56827.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
94,44827.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
85,25428.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
75,59630.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
74,40231.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
59,22731.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
52,71731.6%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
43,74431.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
31,29331.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
22,85532.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
16,33233.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
11,30533.3%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
7,94233.5%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
4,22233.5%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,59833.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Ford Focus stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Ford models

5th of 17

5th lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

36th of 84

36th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

15.6%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Ford Focuses

These issues come from 7-year-old Ford Focuses, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.5%
    Advisory: 18,589Fail: 1,487 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.3%
    Advisory: 8,534Fail: 1,685 (16% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.5%
    Advisory: 7,098Fail: 1,172 (14% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    4.8%
    Advisory: 4,030Fail: 49 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    4.7%
    Advisory: 4,143Fail: 408 (9% of the times it was found)

Based on 62,323 MOT tests on 7-year-old Ford Focuses, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Ford Focuses notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres33%
  2. Other + Tyres23%
  3. Suspension + Tyres17%
  4. Brakes + Other13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 14,813 MOT tests on Ford Focus cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

90%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

95 recalls in all

52 of the 95 Ford Focus recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 8 Critical
  • 44 more

Top concerns

  • Vehicle could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture
  • Clutch pressure plate may fracture
  • The engine cylinder head may crack

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    More still registered at 10 years: 97%, against 90% for the Ford Focus.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    DS 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.9%

    No clear edge over the Ford Focus on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    6,861 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 2.4%, against 5.6% for the Ford Focus.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 13.0%, against 15.6% for the Ford Focus, both built around 2018.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Ford Focus across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 5th lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 62,323 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Ford Focus ever sold: 1,165,669 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 62,323 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.