2012 FORD FOCUS1.6L Diesel

The vehicle's roadworthiness shows a pattern of worsening mechanical neglect regarding rubber components and suspension. While the July 2026 test at 96,167 miles resulted in a pass, the inspector flagged several immediate maintenance requirements, including a severely deteriorated offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover and a severely deteriorated nearside front inner drive shaft joint CV boot. These issues follow a recurring trend of failing or receiving advisories for split boots and worn suspension bushes throughout the vehicle's history. The mileage accumulation appears consistent with a typical annual usage of approximately 6,800 miles. The records show steady progression from 40,900 miles in 2016 to the current 96,167 miles in 2026. There are no significant gaps in the testing intervals, though the frequency of failures and advisories has increased in more recent years. The 2025 test at 92,944 miles was the only clean record in several years, suggesting a period of maintenance that was not sustained into the current 2026 testing cycle. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension and drivetrain. The repeated presence of deteriorated CV boots and worn suspension arm bushes indicates that the rubber components are reaching the end of their service life. The tester specifically identified a failing ball joint dust cover in the most recent test, which poses a risk of premature joint failure if not addressed. Furthermore, the history of pitted and scored front brake discs, noted in 2022, 2023, and 2024, suggests that while the brakes are functional, the discs may require replacement soon to ensure optimal performance. The recurring advisories for worn tyres and deteriorated registration plates suggest a tendency toward reactive rather than proactive maintenance. While no major structural corrosion was flagged, the focus should remain on the integrity of the suspension bushings and the condition of the drive shaft boots to prevent more costly mechanical failures. Any purchase should be contingent on verifying that the specific defects identified in the July 2026 test have been rectified.