2004 Ford Focus ST170 2.0L Petrol · CDZ 71

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 2 August 2026 with no defects recorded. Looking back through the records since 2022, the maintenance trend is exceptionally stable, with five consecutive years of clean passes and a complete absence of advisories. This indicates a vehicle that has been kept in a high state of mechanical readiness, suggesting that any wear and tear items have been addressed proactively before they became official failures. With a recorded mileage of 69,359 miles over a twenty-two year lifespan, the vehicle has averaged approximately 3,153 miles per year. This is considerably low for a performance-oriented model of this vintage. While this low usage suggests minimal wear on the internal engine components and drivetrain, it often implies periods of prolonged standing. Such usage patterns can be more detrimental to certain components than high mileage, as rubber seals can shrink and fluids can lose their chemical efficacy over time. Given the clean MOT history and low annual mileage, the physical inspection should focus on time-based degradation rather than wear-based failure. A primary concern is the condition of the tyres; check the sidewalls for fine cracking or perishing, as tyres can become unsafe due to age even if the tread depth remains legal. Similarly, inspect the brake discs for surface corrosion and ensure the calipers are not binding, which is a common symptom of vehicles that spend long periods stationary. The 12V battery should also be tested for health, as low-use vehicles often suffer from chronic undercharging. Further attention must be paid to the rubber components and fluid intervals. Inspect the suspension bushes and coil springs for signs of splitting or heavy corrosion, which can occur regardless of mileage. You should verify the service history to ensure that engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid have been changed according to calendar intervals rather than mileage milestones, as degraded fluids can lead to internal corrosion. Finally, a thorough check of the chassis and underbody for structural corrosion is essential, as the age of the vehicle makes it susceptible to rust, regardless of how few miles it has covered.