2016 Ford Focus 2.0L Petrol · CF16 EYC

The 2016 Ford Focus most recently passed its MOT test on 12 December 2025, although it is worth noting that an earlier attempt on the same date resulted in a failure due to a malfunctioning Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, classified as a Major defect, alongside an advisory concerning an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and showing edge wear. The earlier MOTs from 2023 and 2024 were passed cleanly with no defects recorded, indicating that the maintenance trend has largely been stable until this recent advisory. The emergence of a tyre wear issue and an electronic monitoring fault after several clean tests suggests the vehicle has now entered a phase where age-related consumable wear and minor electronic sensor degradation are beginning to present themselves, a common pattern in vehicles approaching their tenth anniversary. With a recorded mileage of 30,362 miles spread across approximately ten years, this Ford Focus has covered roughly 3,036 miles annually, which is exceptionally low for its age and well below the national average. Such low usage implies either consistent light running or extended periods of standing, both of which carry their own mechanical implications. Long periods of inactivity tend to accelerate corrosion on brake discs, leading to surface rust and potentially binding calipers, while short journeys prevent the engine, exhaust system, and oils from reaching optimal operating temperatures, allowing moisture and fuel to accumulate. Equally, low annual mileage can mask the natural degradation of rubber components and fluids, which deteriorate with calendar age regardless of distance travelled. Given the advisory recorded on the offside front tyre, a prospective buyer should closely inspect the remaining tread depth and sidewalls, paying particular attention to uneven edge wear, which can indicate incorrect wheel alignment, worn suspension components, or imbalanced tracking. On a test drive, any pulling to one side, vibration through the steering wheel, or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces should be treated as a red flag for the bushes, wishbones, or anti-roll bar links. The failed MOT also flagged a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System malfunction, which may be as simple as a depleted sensor battery, a corroded valve stem, or a fault following a recent wheel change, so it is worth confirming whether the system has since been rectified and whether a new sensor has been fitted. Beyond the recorded advisories, the low-mileage, ten-year-old profile warrants several age-specific physical checks before purchase. The original 12-volt battery may be approaching the end of its service life, so its replacement record and holding voltage should be verified, particularly as a weak battery can mimic more serious electrical faults. Brake discs and calipers should be examined for standing corrosion, ensuring the calipers release fully and do not bind, which is common on lightly used vehicles. Coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid should be assessed in terms of condition rather than simply level, as fluids degrade over time, and a full service history with documented fluid changes would substantially enhance confidence. Tyre sidewalls should be checked for perishing and cracking from age, the exhaust system inspected for internal corrosion and weak mounting rubbers, and the cam belt or timing chain service interval confirmed, as many Ford Focus models of this era are approaching the point at which the timing belt should have been renewed.