2017 Ford Focus 1.0L Petrol · CP66 UGD

A persistent tyre management issue dominates the mechanical history of this 2017 Ford Focus, with two dangerous failures directly attributed to tread depth falling below the legal 1.6mm threshold. The most recent recorded test on 2026-01-28 resulted in an initial fail for dangerously worn offside rear and nearside rear inner tyres, alongside a major defect for an inoperative nearside front side repeater; the vehicle subsequently passed on the same date once these items were rectified, with only a minor registration plate deterioration advisory noted. This pattern is not isolated, as the 2024-01-24 test also produced a dangerous failure for both front tyres reaching the same illegal wear limit, indicating a recurring cycle of tyres being run to the absolute legal minimum rather than being replaced proactively. The overarching trend reveals a vehicle that consistently passes its annual assessments only after addressing immediate safety items, with the tyre wear across all four corners suggesting that either pressures are not being monitored, alignment geometry is misaligned, or the suspension is failing to keep the contact patch square. With an odometer reading of 80,914 miles against a nine-year age, this Focus has accumulated an average of roughly 8,990 miles annually, which sits comfortably within typical parameters for a car of its vintage. There are no significant testing gaps recorded in the provided history, with annual assessments carried out consistently through 2024, 2025, and 2026, implying the vehicle has remained in regular active use rather than undergoing any long periods of standing. Given the recorded mileage and the cyclical tyre replacement evident from the advisories, mechanical wear on consumables such as brake discs and pads, as well as suspension linkages and bushes, should be expected to be progressing along a standard wear curve, though the specific failure points suggest these components warrant close physical scrutiny. For a prospective buyer, the primary focus during a pre-purchase inspection should be the braking and suspension geometry, given the evidence that tyres are being worn unevenly or excessively fast. It is essential to verify the condition of the rear registration plate illumination and housing to ensure the persistent deterioration has not compromised the plate's legibility or lighting. On a test drive, the vehicle should be driven over uneven road surfaces and speed bumps to listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar drop links, control arm bushes, or top mounts that have fatigued under the accumulated mileage. Pay particular attention to steering precision, as any vagueness, pulling to one side under braking, or uneven steering effort could confirm the tracking or geometry issues suggested by the repeated front and rear tyre edge wear advisories flagged in 2025. The braking system requires a firm pedal feel with no excessive travel, and a visual inspection behind the wheels should be conducted to check the inner and outer brake pad material and the condition of the disc surfaces for lipping or binding calipers, particularly on the rear axle given the dangerous tread depth failures recorded there. Finally, inspect the nearside front side repeater for correct function, and verify the rear number plate is not so worn as to be classed as likely to be misread, ensuring the vehicle meets the minimum standards required for a clean MOT pass.