Ford Focus reliability by year, 2000 to 2023
2,819,581 Ford Focuss went through an MOT in the period we analysed, and 67.9% passed. Set against the 71.7% national pass rate, that is a weaker result than most on the raw numbers. Set against cars of the same age rather than the whole fleet, the Focus is about average at -0.7 points. At its first MOT, at three years old, 88.7% of Focuss pass; the national figure for three-year-old cars is 87.9%. Top of the failure list: a sidelight not working, on 9.7% of failed tests.
Why Ford Focuss fail the MOT
The Focus's failures cluster around lights and suspension: a sidelight not working on 9.7% of fails, a broken coil spring on 8%. Percentages can add to more than 100 because one failed test often records several defects.
Lights are the cheapest category to fail on and the easiest to prevent: walk round the car with every lamp on before you go.
Warning signs on the certificate
An advisory is the tester telling you what fails next year. On the Focus the usual suspects are tyre tread below the legal minimum (19.3% of tests) and a damaged tyre sidewall (8.3%). The advisory conversion table shows which of these are worth acting on first.
Focus pass rate by fuel
Among Ford Focus cars, petrol versions pass 68.7% of the time and diesel versions 66.3%, a gap of 2.4 points. Diesels tend to be bought for high mileage, which shows up at the test as wear.
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 68.7% | 1,936,937 |
| Diesel | 66.3% | 881,447 |
Every Focus year, 2000 to 2023
The oldest Focuss on the road, from 2000, pass 52.6% of the time; the 2023 cars pass 91.3%. Read the table as an age curve first and a quality ranking second.
| First used | Pass rate | Tests | Miles a year | First MOT pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus 2023 | 91.3% | 1,180 | 12,841 | – |
| Ford Focus 2022 | 90.2% | 16,875 | 8,823 | 90.1% |
| Ford Focus 2021 | 88.6% | 42,695 | 8,933 | 88.3% |
| Ford Focus 2020 | 87.3% | 114,034 | 8,406 | 88.4% |
| Ford Focus 2019 | 83.6% | 163,919 | 8,223 | – |
| Ford Focus 2018 | 83.4% | 140,443 | 7,836 | – |
| Ford Focus 2017 | 82.4% | 188,822 | 8,104 | – |
| Ford Focus 2016 | 79.3% | 189,408 | 8,214 | – |
| Ford Focus 2015 | 75.6% | 222,989 | 8,230 | – |
| Ford Focus 2014 | 67.1% | 220,296 | 8,154 | – |
| Ford Focus 2013 | 63.4% | 216,857 | 8,126 | – |
| Ford Focus 2012 | 62.9% | 200,698 | 7,941 | – |
| Ford Focus 2011 | 59.1% | 188,457 | 7,749 | – |
| Ford Focus 2010 | 57.4% | 161,409 | 7,264 | – |
| Ford Focus 2009 | 56.7% | 165,516 | 6,856 | – |
| Ford Focus 2008 | 55.8% | 140,642 | 6,685 | – |
| Ford Focus 2007 | 57.1% | 129,080 | 6,206 | – |
| Ford Focus 2006 | 56.5% | 100,578 | 5,953 | – |
| Ford Focus 2005 | 53.5% | 74,386 | 5,617 | – |
| Ford Focus 2004 | 51.7% | 53,694 | 5,283 | – |
| Ford Focus 2003 | 52.9% | 35,856 | 4,627 | – |
| Ford Focus 2002 | 52.7% | 28,090 | 4,555 | – |
| Ford Focus 2001 | 53.2% | 16,265 | 4,507 | – |
| Ford Focus 2000 | 52.6% | 7,392 | 4,344 | – |
Pass rate by mileage
On the 2015 cars, a Focus under 40,000 miles passes 87% of the time; one over 100,000 passes 66.7%. When comparing two used Focuss, the odometer tells you more than the year.
| Mileage at test (2015 cars) | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87% | 26,616 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.7% | 51,591 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 74.9% | 61,542 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 70.3% | 44,375 |
| Over 100,000 | 66.7% | 38,767 |
Compared with other cars
Set against the rest of the Ford range, which averages 68.5%, the Focus at 67.9% is below par. Within the family, see Fiesta common problems (65.9%), Ford Transit MOT pass rate (66.9%), Ford Kuga MOT pass rate (79.5%) and the Mondeo (66.8%), or Ford reliability by model. Buyers weighing a Focus against other cars of similar popularity often compare it with the Toyota Yaris (72.5%) and Vauxhall Astra (65.7%). The full reliability table puts them side by side, and the national MOT statistics give the baseline.
Failure lists and mileage by year
Each year opens to show its own failure list and pass rate by mileage.
Ford Focus 2023 91.3% pass 1,180 tests
On a 2023 Ford Focus, a tyre worn or cut to the cords appears on 13.6% of failed tests, with headlamp aim out of adjustment next at 12.6%.
2023 cars pass 92.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 80% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 92.2% | 1,032 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 87.2% | 109 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 81.3% | 16 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 76.9% | 13 |
| Over 100,000 | 80% | 10 |
Ford Focus 2022 90.2% pass 16,875 tests90.1% at first MOT
On a 2022 Ford Focus, a tyre worn or cut to the cords appears on 17.5% of failed tests, with headlamp aim out of adjustment next at 10.9%.
2022 cars pass 91% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 73.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91% | 14,634 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.9% | 1,658 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 84.7% | 425 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 83% | 112 |
| Over 100,000 | 73.9% | 46 |
By fuel: petrol 90.9% (14,722 tests), diesel 84.8% (2,055 tests).
Ford Focus 2021 88.6% pass 42,695 tests88.3% at first MOT
On a 2021 Ford Focus, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 15.3% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 14.8%.
2021 cars pass 90% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 77.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90% | 32,916 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.8% | 6,971 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 82.6% | 1,900 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 81.9% | 619 |
| Over 100,000 | 77.9% | 289 |
By fuel: petrol 90% (30,514 tests), diesel 85.2% (11,866 tests).
Ford Focus 2020 87.3% pass 114,034 tests88.4% at first MOT
On a 2020 Ford Focus, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 15.1% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 14.3%.
2020 cars pass 89.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 75.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.7% | 79,825 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83.3% | 24,322 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.7% | 6,950 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 78.1% | 2,056 |
| Over 100,000 | 75.1% | 879 |
By fuel: petrol 88.6% (79,000 tests), diesel 84.3% (34,896 tests).
Ford Focus 2019 83.6% pass 163,919 tests
On a 2019 Ford Focus, brake pads worn below 1.5mm appears on 14.6% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 14.5%.
2019 cars pass 87.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 73.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87.3% | 90,532 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 80.7% | 47,049 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 77.4% | 18,064 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 74.2% | 5,605 |
| Over 100,000 | 73.9% | 2,666 |
By fuel: petrol 84.1% (125,771 tests), diesel 82.2% (38,140 tests).
Ford Focus 2018 83.4% pass 140,443 tests
On a 2018 Ford Focus, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 13.4% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 13.2%.
2018 cars pass 88% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 73.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88% | 61,438 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.1% | 46,222 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 77.9% | 21,029 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 74.8% | 7,422 |
| Over 100,000 | 73.7% | 4,328 |
By fuel: petrol 84.2% (109,533 tests), diesel 80.9% (30,910 tests).
Ford Focus 2017 82.4% pass 188,822 tests
On a 2017 Ford Focus, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 12.8% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 10.1%.
2017 cars pass 89.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 71.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.3% | 53,069 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83.9% | 62,972 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.7% | 42,048 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 73.6% | 18,857 |
| Over 100,000 | 71.3% | 11,865 |
By fuel: petrol 84% (124,348 tests), diesel 79.3% (64,474 tests).
Ford Focus 2016 79.3% pass 189,408 tests
On a 2016 Ford Focus, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 10.7% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 9.1%.
2016 cars pass 88.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 68.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.7% | 35,228 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83% | 54,588 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 77.3% | 49,742 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 72.4% | 28,302 |
| Over 100,000 | 68.7% | 21,497 |
By fuel: petrol 81.1% (113,300 tests), diesel 76.7% (76,107 tests).
Ford Focus 2015 75.6% pass 222,989 tests
On a 2015 Ford Focus, a tyre pressure sensor not working appears on 14.9% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 10%.
2015 cars pass 87% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 66.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87% | 26,616 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.7% | 51,591 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 74.9% | 61,542 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 70.3% | 44,375 |
| Over 100,000 | 66.7% | 38,767 |
By fuel: petrol 77.2% (121,892 tests), diesel 73.6% (101,091 tests).
Ford Focus 2014 67.1% pass 220,296 tests
On a 2014 Ford Focus, a broken coil spring appears on 15.6% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 14.2%.
2014 cars pass 81.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 58.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 81.9% | 17,854 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 75.3% | 41,168 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 67.8% | 57,991 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 63% | 49,473 |
| Over 100,000 | 58.8% | 53,725 |
By fuel: petrol 69.8% (121,350 tests), diesel 63.8% (98,942 tests).
Ford Focus 2013 63.4% pass 216,857 tests
On a 2013 Ford Focus, a broken coil spring appears on 20.5% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 14.4%.
2013 cars pass 78.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 57.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 78.6% | 11,745 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 72.1% | 30,566 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 65.8% | 51,203 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 61.1% | 51,435 |
| Over 100,000 | 57.3% | 71,865 |
By fuel: petrol 65.5% (118,715 tests), diesel 61% (98,142 tests).
Ford Focus 2012 62.9% pass 200,698 tests
On a 2012 Ford Focus, a broken coil spring appears on 16.7% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 12.2%.
2012 cars pass 79.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 57% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 79.5% | 7,985 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 72.9% | 22,370 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 66.6% | 41,710 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 62.1% | 47,766 |
| Over 100,000 | 57% | 80,805 |
By fuel: petrol 64.8% (114,881 tests), diesel 60.4% (85,810 tests).
Ford Focus 2011 59.1% pass 188,457 tests
On a 2011 Ford Focus, a broken coil spring appears on 14.4% of failed tests, with headlamp aim out of adjustment next at 13.1%.
2011 cars pass 79.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 53.5% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 79.5% | 5,811 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 72.2% | 16,582 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 64.8% | 32,798 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 58.7% | 43,798 |
| Over 100,000 | 53.5% | 89,352 |
By fuel: petrol 60.8% (119,950 tests), diesel 56.1% (68,507 tests).
Ford Focus 2010 57.4% pass 161,409 tests
On a 2010 Ford Focus, a sidelight not working appears on 18.3% of failed tests, with headlamp aim out of adjustment next at 18.2%.
2010 cars pass 77.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 51.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 77.9% | 6,576 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 72.2% | 13,586 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 64.1% | 25,998 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.2% | 35,257 |
| Over 100,000 | 51.1% | 79,625 |
By fuel: petrol 59.3% (112,678 tests), diesel 53.1% (48,713 tests).
Ford Focus 2009 56.7% pass 165,516 tests
On a 2009 Ford Focus, headlamp aim out of adjustment appears on 17.8% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 16.4%.
2009 cars pass 74% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 50.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 74% | 6,543 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 72.7% | 12,453 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 63.7% | 24,730 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.4% | 35,884 |
| Over 100,000 | 50.8% | 85,146 |
By fuel: petrol 57.8% (129,762 tests), diesel 52.7% (35,739 tests).
Ford Focus 2008 55.8% pass 140,642 tests
On a 2008 Ford Focus, a sidelight not working appears on 13.6% of failed tests, with headlamp aim out of adjustment next at 13.4%.
2008 cars pass 72.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 50.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 72.9% | 3,701 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 71.1% | 9,044 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 63.1% | 19,262 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.7% | 30,205 |
| Over 100,000 | 50.6% | 78,071 |
By fuel: petrol 56.8% (110,749 tests), diesel 52% (29,882 tests).
Ford Focus 2007 57.1% pass 129,080 tests
On a 2007 Ford Focus, a sidelight not working appears on 13.1% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 11.7%.
2007 cars pass 67.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 52.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 67.2% | 4,649 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 71.2% | 8,268 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 63.7% | 17,965 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 58.9% | 27,968 |
| Over 100,000 | 52.3% | 69,260 |
By fuel: petrol 57.9% (108,540 tests), diesel 53% (20,514 tests).
Ford Focus 2006 56.5% pass 100,578 tests
On a 2006 Ford Focus, a sidelight not working appears on 12.3% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 11.5%.
2006 cars pass 71.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 52.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 71.5% | 2,689 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 70.2% | 6,320 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 63.8% | 13,700 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.8% | 21,433 |
| Over 100,000 | 52.1% | 56,058 |
By fuel: petrol 57.2% (86,120 tests), diesel 52.6% (14,442 tests).
Ford Focus 2005 53.5% pass 74,386 tests
On a 2005 Ford Focus, a brake light not working appears on 11.1% of failed tests, with a broken coil spring next at 10.9%.
2005 cars pass 69.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 48.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 69.8% | 2,152 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 67.3% | 4,930 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 60% | 10,459 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 54.7% | 15,756 |
| Over 100,000 | 48.8% | 40,793 |
By fuel: petrol 53.9% (65,236 tests), diesel 50.5% (9,144 tests).
Ford Focus 2004 51.7% pass 53,694 tests
On a 2004 Ford Focus, a brake light not working appears on 13.6% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 10.4%.
2004 cars pass 69.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 46.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 69.2% | 1,861 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 64.8% | 4,262 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 58% | 8,004 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 52.3% | 10,968 |
| Over 100,000 | 46.7% | 28,510 |
By fuel: petrol 52.1% (46,909 tests), diesel 49.3% (6,768 tests).
Ford Focus 2003 52.9% pass 35,856 tests
On a 2003 Ford Focus, a brake light not working appears on 15.6% of failed tests, with body mounting corroded at a mounting point next at 13.7%.
2003 cars pass 65.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 47% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 65.3% | 3,135 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 59.8% | 4,023 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 58.2% | 5,846 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 52.9% | 6,703 |
| Over 100,000 | 47% | 15,924 |
By fuel: petrol 53.2% (33,131 tests), diesel 49.2% (2,712 tests).
Ford Focus 2002 52.7% pass 28,090 tests
On a 2002 Ford Focus, body mounting corroded at a mounting point appears on 15.6% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 14.4%.
2002 cars pass 62.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 47.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 62.7% | 1,933 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 62.1% | 2,638 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 58.6% | 4,483 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 53% | 5,523 |
| Over 100,000 | 47.6% | 13,150 |
By fuel: petrol 52.9% (26,240 tests), diesel 50.1% (1,850 tests).
Ford Focus 2001 53.2% pass 16,265 tests
On a 2001 Ford Focus, a brake light not working appears on 14.9% of failed tests, with body mounting corroded at a mounting point next at 14.9%.
2001 cars pass 73% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 48% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 73% | 626 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 65.1% | 1,443 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 58.3% | 2,626 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 53.3% | 3,447 |
| Over 100,000 | 48% | 8,107 |
By fuel: petrol 53.2% (15,518 tests), diesel 53.6% (743 tests).
Ford Focus 2000 52.6% pass 7,392 tests
On a 2000 Ford Focus, body mounting corroded at a mounting point appears on 16.1% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 13.1%.
2000 cars pass 71.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 47.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 71.8% | 280 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 66.8% | 696 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 58.1% | 1,235 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 50.9% | 1,454 |
| Over 100,000 | 47.4% | 3,724 |
Questions people ask
Is the Ford Focus reliable?
On MOT evidence the Ford Focus is about average. It passes 67.9% of tests against 71.7% for all cars, and trails cars of the same age by 0.7 points. 88.7% pass their first MOT at three years old. Figures from 2,819,581 DVSA tests.
What are the most common Ford Focus MOT failures?
A sidelight not working (9.7% of failed tests), a broken coil spring (8%) and tyre tread below the legal minimum (7.4%). Lights are the cheapest category to fail on and the easiest to prevent: walk round the car with every lamp on before you go.
Which Ford Focus year is the most reliable?
Among years with a large sample, 2022 cars have the highest pass rate at 90.2% and 2004 cars the lowest at 51.7%. Newer years pass more because they are younger, so compare a specific car's year against the table above rather than against the overall figure.
What advisories does a Ford Focus usually get?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is the most frequent, noted on 19.3% of all Focus tests, then a damaged tyre sidewall (8.3%). An advisory passes the car today but marks the item most likely to fail next year.
How many miles a year does a Ford Focus do?
About 7,531 miles a year on average, calculated from the odometer readings recorded at consecutive MOTs. That is close to the UK average of roughly 7,400.
How do I check a particular Ford Focus?
The figures describe the whole fleet. For one car, enter its registration in the free MOT check to see its own test history, advisories and mileage, set against these averages for its year.
Own a Focus?
Enter the registration to see its own MOT history, advisories and mileage set against these figures, including whether it has done more or fewer than the 7,531 miles a year typical of the model.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 to 2025. Class 4 cars, normal tests only; a pass after rectification counts as an initial failure. Age-adjusted figures compare the model's pass rate at each age with the national rate at the same age. Methodology.