2002 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · DA02 YKT

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a trend of structural degradation and electrical neglect. While the most recent test in May 2026 at 66,682 miles passed, it followed a failure just six days prior due to a faulty fog lamp circuit. The persistent presence of corrosion on the offside rear sill section, which first appeared in 2025 and remained in 2026, indicates that surface rust is active and not being addressed, despite not yet compromising the structural rigidity of the chassis. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 24-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 2,778 miles per year. This low usage suggests the car has sat for long periods, which often leads to the types of reactive issues seen in the record. Between May 2024 and May 2026, the car covered 10,000 miles, showing relatively consistent use. However, the 2024 failure shows the vehicle failing on multiple fronts including exposed tyre cords and low brake effort, suggesting that the low mileage has not translated to high standards of proactive mechanical upkeep. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the offside rear sill and wheel arch area to determine the depth of the structural corrosion. The tester noted a slight oil leak from the cam cover gasket in both 2026 tests, which should be monitored to ensure it does not escalate or affect rubber components. Given the previous low rear service brake effort recorded in 2024, the entire braking system and lines should be checked for seized calipers or perished hoses resulting from periods of inactivity. The electrical fault with the fog lamp switch also needs physical verification to ensure the wiring harness has been repaired rather than just bypassed.