2008 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · CE08 AAJ

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the mechanical condition shows a worsening trend regarding structural integrity. While the car passed its most recent test in October 2025 at 96,603 miles, it suffered a failure just one day prior at 96,600 miles due to poor parking brake efficiency. The presence of corrosion on the rear sub-frame and both rear suspension arms remains a consistent issue across the last three years, indicating that oxidation is progressing despite the vehicle passing on marginal safety margins. At 18 years old, the recorded mileage of 96,603 miles represents a low average of approximately 5,367 miles per year. This low usage suggests the vehicle has not seen heavy motorway exposure, which often explains the degradation of rubber components and metal surfaces rather than mechanical wear. Between October 2024 and October 2025, the car covered 13,295 miles, a significant spike compared to the previous annual average which likely correlates with the sudden appearance of parking brake failure and the accelerated wear on the suspension components. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the rear sub-frame and suspension arms to determine the depth of the corrosion flagged by the tester. Because the record repeatedly notes these areas as not seriously weakened for several years, there is a high risk that the metal thinning will eventually lead to a structural failure. The parking brake should also be tested to ensure the repair made after the October 2025 failure was effective and not a temporary adjustment. Additionally, the history of perishing tyres and uneven wear in 2022 and 2023 suggests that the low mileage has not prevented age-related degradation of rubber bushings and tyres.