2004 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · NL54 AEA

The vehicle presents a history of significant structural corrosion and deferred maintenance, despite its low mileage. In the most recent test on 3 March 2026 at 96,985 miles, the car passed after an initial failure involving a broken windscreen wiper, a failed offside front lamp, and a rear tyre with exposed cords. While the tester noted corrosion on the offside outer suspension component mounting and a non-excessive oil leak, these were not considered failures. This follows a recurring pattern where mechanical faults are only addressed immediately before an MOT rather than through preventative servicing. At 22 years old, the recorded 96,985 miles represent a low average of approximately 4,400 miles per year. This low usage often correlates with age-related degradation rather than mechanical wear, which is evident in the record. In June 2022 at 82,634 miles, the vehicle failed with severe structural issues, including seriously weakened rear suspension arms and excessive corrosion on the rear spring mountings. Although these specific points were rectified for the 2024 and 2025 tests, the presence of ongoing rust on the MacPherson struts, coil springs, and brake pipes suggests that the vehicle remains highly susceptible to environmental-related decay. The braking and suspension systems show signs of intermittent neglect. The January 2025 test at 90,541 miles revealed the offside front brake was grabbing severely and the rear suspension arms were seriously weakened, leading to a failure. Furthermore, the record shows repeated issues with perishing tyres and cracking de-lam components, alongside reduced damping in the rear shock absorbers. A buyer should scrutinize the structural integrity of the sills and the condition of all rubber pipework, as the history indicates a trend of components reaching the point of failure before replacement.