Ford Focus MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Ford Focus passed 68.0% of its first MOT tests, from 975,490 tests in Great Britain. That is 3.4 points below the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Ford Focus MOT failures
The area that failed most often was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, affecting 15.1% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 15.1% vs 11.3%
- Suspension 11.0% vs 8.9%
- Tyres 7.6% vs 6.3%
- Brakes 5.4% vs 6.8%
- Visibility 4.5% vs 4.8%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 3.5% vs 3.1%
- Body, chassis, structure 3.3% vs 3.4%
- Steering 1.3% vs 1.8%
- Headlamp aim 5.3% vs 3.3%
- Tyres: condition 4.3% vs 3.7%
- Coil spring 4.0% vs 2.6%
- Position lamp 3.9% vs 2.8%
- Tread depth 3.3% vs 2.6%
- Washers 2.8% vs 2.5%
- Stop lamp 2.6% vs 2.2%
- Headlamp 2.5% vs 2.2%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: Fractured or broken | 4.0% |
| Position lamp: Not working | 3.7% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 3.2% |
| Headlamp aim: Projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 2.9% |
| Stop lamp: Not working | 2.2% |
| Tyres: condition: Has ply or cords exposed | 1.9% |
| Pins and bushes: Pin or bush excessively worn | 1.8% |
| Headlamp: Not working on dipped beam | 1.8% |
| Washers: Provides insufficient washer liquid | 1.7% |
| Brake pads: Less than 1.5 mm thick | 1.7% |
Ford Focus pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 86.0% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 55.2% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 86.0% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 78.1% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 60.9% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 55.2% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 666,540 | 68.6% |
| Diesel | 308,884 | 66.6% |
Most common Ford Focus advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 21.4%
- Tyres: condition 10.2%
- Brake discs 10.0%
- Pins and bushes 8.4%
- Brake pads 7.4%
- Vehicle 6.8%
- Coil spring 5.3%
- Engine oil leaks 4.0%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
Other Ford models
- Ford Fiesta (66.0%)
- Ford Transit (62.5%)
- Ford Kuga (79.1%)
- Ford Mondeo (66.5%)
- Ford KA (68.2%)
- Ford Transit Connect (64.3%)
- Ford C-Max (70.3%)
- Ford Ranger (70.8%)
Similar popular models
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Focus?
In 2023, 68.0% of Ford Focus MOT tests were passed first time, from 975,490 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Ford Focus?
The most common failure area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, which caused 15.1% of tests to fail. Next came suspension (11.0%) and tyres (7.6%).
Is the Ford Focus reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 68.0% is 3.4 points below the average and ranks 68 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Ford Focus's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.