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Ford Focus Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Ford Focus (1998–2025).

MOT Pass Rate

77.8%4.2% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Good — based on approx. 165,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

2.00%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

15.1%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

17.8%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

16.1%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

13.5%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

11.2%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

8.7%

Where Faults Occur

31.0%

Front

29.0%

Rear

21.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

24,000 mi

At 5 years

42,000 mi

At 10 years

78,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Ford Focus a Good Buy?

The Ford Focus shows average reliability in MOT data. With a 77.8% pass rate, it sits 4.2% below the national average of 82%.

Budget for potential repairs in lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension. An independent pre-purchase inspection is recommended, especially for older examples. Always check the full MOT history for recurring issues.

Ford Focus MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Ford Focus.

View Ford Focus MOT Data

Check a Specific Ford Focus

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Ford Focus.

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Other Ford Models

Ford Fiesta

79.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Ford Mondeo

74.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Ford Ka

73.1%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Ford Galaxy

72.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Ford Kuga

82.1%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Ford Puma

85.3%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Ford models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Ford Focus?
The top MOT failure on the Ford Focus is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 17.8% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Ford Focus MOT pass rate?
The Ford Focus has an estimated MOT pass rate of 77.8%, which is 4.2% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Ford Focus as "Good" for MOT reliability.
Is the Ford Focus reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Ford Focus has a good reliability record with a 77.8% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 2.00% and a retest rate of 15.1%.
How much does it cost to fix common Ford Focus MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Ford Focus MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Ford Focus have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Ford Focus covers approximately 24,000 mi by 3 years, 42,000 mi by 5 years, and 78,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Ford Focus?
The Ford Focus is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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