2014 Ford Focus 1.6L Diesel · HY64 AAZ

The most recent DVSA examination on 19 September 2025 resulted in a PASS, although this outcome must be read with caution because the same date also records a prior FAIL that was subsequently rectified. The failure items comprised both windscreen wipers failing to clear the screen effectively and an illuminated ABS warning lamp, all of which were corrected before the pass was issued. Advisories carried over from that test highlight nearside and offside front tyres worn close to the legal limit and on the edges, both front top strut mount bearings noted as slightly noisy, and sidewall damage to the nearside rear tyre. Looking at the broader history, the 2024 test recorded the same wiper and ABS faults plus an electronic stability control warning lamp fault, indicating a recurring pattern of intermittent electrical and wiper motor concerns rather than a single isolated event. The 2023 pass introduced early advisories relating to steering and suspension components, including play in a track rod end ball joint, play felt in the steering rack, a worn trailing arm bush, and a notchy front strut top mount. Taken together, the trend suggests a vehicle that is being maintained to a passable level but with a cluster of recurring advisories pointing to gradual wear in the front suspension, steering geometry, and ancillary electrical systems that warrant close inspection. The recorded mileage of 125,956 miles over a twelve-year life equates to an average of approximately 10,500 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a Ford Focus of this vintage and indicates regular rather than sporadic use. There are no large unexplained gaps in the recorded mileages between successive MOT examinations, which is generally reassuring as it suggests the odometer reading is consistent with the vehicle's working life rather than being subject to clocking or extended periods of standing. This kind of consistent annual usage tends to keep mechanical components, seals, and fluids in better working order than a low-mileage car that has been laid up, though it does mean that high-wear items such as clutch, dual-mass flywheel if fitted, brakes, and suspension linkages will have accrued substantial wear commensurate with the distance covered. Any prospective buyer should therefore weigh the relatively high overall mileage against the supporting service history to confirm that consumables have been replaced at appropriate intervals. Given the recurring advisories relating to the front strut top mounts, the steering rack play, the track rod end, and the rear trailing arm bush, a thorough physical inspection is strongly advised before purchase. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, which would indicate that the noisy strut mount bearings first noted in 2023 and again in 2025 have progressed to a point of requiring replacement. Pay close attention to steering precision, as the 2023 advisory of play in the steering rack combined with slight play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint suggests the steering geometry may now be approaching the threshold of acceptable movement, manifesting as vagueness around the straight-ahead, wandering at speed, or uneven front tyre wear. Inspect the nearside rear tyre sidewall carefully for any bulging or cracking associated with the recorded sidewall damage, and check all four tyres for both legal tread depth and age-related perishing, given that the 2023 test already flagged perishing on the nearside rear and that the front pair were noted as worn close to the limit in 2025. Replacement of all four tyres should be factored into any offer. The repeated ABS and electronic stability control warning lamp faults across the 2024 and 2025 tests are particularly noteworthy and should be investigated with a diagnostic scan capable of interrogating the ABS and ESC modules, as clearing the warning lamp without resolving the underlying fault will only result in recurrence. Common culprits on a Focus of this era include a failing ABS wheel speed sensor, a corroded sensor ring, or a defective yaw rate sensor, all of which are relatively inexpensive to rectify but can compromise braking stability under emergency or low-grip conditions if left unaddressed. Additionally, the centre exhaust heat shield insecurity noted in 2024 should be verified as rectified, as a loose heat shield can rattle against the exhaust underbody and eventually lead to exhaust mounting failures. Beyond the recorded defects, a vehicle of this age and mileage should be checked for age-related concerns including brake disc corrosion and potential caliper binding from infrequent high-temperature use, 12V battery health particularly given the electrical faults observed, coolant and brake fluid condition based on calendar age rather than mileage, and any signs of oil leakage from the engine or transmission seals. A compression test and underbody inspection for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and the rear trailing arm area where bush deterioration has been noted, would form a sensible part of any pre-purchase evaluation.