2011 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · AF04 SFF

The most recent MOT on 2 December 2025 was a pass, but it was accompanied by several advisories covering the headlamp, rear brake disc and pads, and a minor oil leak. Over the last five years the vehicle has alternated between passes and failures, with major failures recorded for the off‑side CV joint boot, the horn, the ABS and ESC warning lamps, and the driver’s seat adjustment. While the latest result shows a modest improvement – the CV joint boot and horn failures have been downgraded to advisories – the persistence of rear brake wear, tyre condition alerts and suspension bush wear indicates that the overall maintenance trend is only marginally stabilising rather than clearly improving. At 133,463 mi the Focus averages just under 9 000 mi per year, which is typical for a fifteen‑year‑old family hatchback. The mileage does not suggest any periods of extreme short‑term abuse, but the age of the car means that many components are now subject to calendar‑related degradation as well as mileage wear. The moderate annual usage implies that wear items such as brake discs, pads and tyres have been accumulating steadily, while the long service life also raises the likelihood of rubber and polymer ageing in bushes, boots and seals. A prospective buyer should focus on the rear braking system: the disc is already pitted and the pads are reported as thin on both sides, so a full rear disc and pad replacement is likely required within the next few thousand miles. During a test drive listen for any shudder or pulsation when applying the brakes, especially under heavy deceleration, and check that the pedal feels firm without excessive travel. The off‑side CV joint boot was flagged as split in 2025; inspect the boot for cracks or oil seepage and spin the wheel by hand to feel for any clicking or excessive play that would indicate joint wear. The ABS and electronic stability control faults recorded in 2023 have not re‑appeared in the latest test, but the warning lamps should be scanned with a diagnostic tool to confirm that the modules are now fault‑free; intermittent faults can cause unpredictable brake modulation. Verify that the horn operates correctly and that the driver’s seat adjustment now moves smoothly, as these were previously recorded as major failures. Given the vehicle’s age, also examine the tyre condition beyond the MOT notes: the front tyres show early cracking of the sidewalls, a sign of rubber perishing, and the rear tyres are close to the legal tread limit, so budgeting for a full set of new tyres is prudent. Check the rear suspension trailing arm bushes for any looseness or clunking over bumps, which would confirm the advisory about wear. Look for any fresh oil on the underside to assess the reported minor oil leak, and inspect the coolant reservoir and brake fluid for signs of contamination or low level, as fluids degrade over time regardless of mileage. Finally, have the 12 V battery load‑tested and confirm that the service history includes regular oil, filter and coolant changes; these time‑based items are critical to keep a fifteen‑year‑old Focus reliable and safe.