2003 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · CF53 AFZ

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status, having passed its most recent test in February 2025 with 153,147 miles and no defects recorded. However, the maintenance trend shows a period of significant instability characterized by several major structural and mechanical failures. While the last two tests suggest a stable state, the immediate history reveals a vehicle that has struggled with escalating structural corrosion and suspension wear over the last five years of operation. The mileage pattern is consistent with a low-use vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 6,600 miles per year. There is a notable gap in records between September 2021 and January 2023, where the car covered roughly 6,000 miles over sixteen months. Conversely, the usage increased between January 2023 and January 2024, with 4,000 miles covered in just one year. This fluctuant usage suggests the car may have sat stationary for extended periods previously, which often contributes to the type of surface corrosion noted on the chassis. A buyer must prioritize a thorough inspection of the structural integrity, specifically the sills and suspension mounting points. The January 2024 failure flagged severe corrosion on the nearside and offside rear suspension mounting areas that threatened to affect vehicle control. Although the vehicle passed the subsequent test, corrosion in these prescribed areas is progressive and rarely resolves itself without significant metalwork. The previous failure of a weakened offside rear suspension arm in 2020 further indicates that the underwork is prone to advanced rust-related degradation. Mechanical attention should also be paid to the rear suspension and braking. The record shows a history of fractured coil springs and noisy wheel bearings from 2021, suggesting the rear suspension components are reaching their fatigue limit. Given the past failures for worn tyres, pitted brake discs, and headlamp leveling, the buyer should check for uneven tyre wear and ensure that recent components have been replaced to high standards rather than merely adjusted to pass the test.