2018 Ford Focus 1.0L Petrol · DY68 EPJ

The 2018 Ford Focus presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a completely clean MOT pass on 13 October 2025 at 53,346 miles with zero defects recorded. That outcome is significant because the preceding two tests in 2023 and 2024 both flagged wear items, meaning the most recent test confirms those components were addressed and the vehicle currently meets all DVSA roadworthiness standards. The trajectory from advisories and minor defects in 2022 and 2023 to a flawless pass in 2025 suggests the last owner invested in corrective work rather than allowing faults to accumulate. The mileage profile is straightforward and unremarkable in a positive sense. The vehicle has covered approximately 6,668 miles per year since new, which is typical for a mainstream family hatchback of this age. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps between recorded tests. The 2022 tests at 27,430 miles, the 2023 test at 38,480 miles, and the 2024 test at 46,521 miles all show consistent, steady accumulation with no evidence of long periods standing or odometer anomalies. The clean pass in October 2025 at 53,346 miles confirms the vehicle remained in regular use right up to its most recent test date, roughly eight months before today's date of 17 June 2026. Despite the clean 2025 result, a buyer should still inspect several areas closely. The 2024 advisory for slight play in the offside track rod end ball joint at 46,521 miles indicates the steering linkage has shown wear, and while it was evidently not severe enough to fail the following year, any looseness in that joint can accelerate tyre wear and affect steering precision. The 2023 test flagged all four brake pads as wearing thin and both rear brake discs as worn, pitted, or scored, meaning the braking system was due for replacement. A buyer should verify that pads and discs have been renewed since then by checking pad thickness and disc condition, particularly at the rear where scoring was noted. The 2022 failure for an inoperative offside parking brake and low parking brake efficiency, followed by a retest pass the next day, suggests a one-off repair was carried out, but the handbrake linkage and rear caliper operation should still be functionally tested on a slope to confirm even hold across both sides. Beyond the documented items, a physical inspection should cover the underside for corrosion on the subframe, sills, and suspension mounting points, as the 2018 Focus generation is susceptible to surface and structural rust depending on climate and road treatment history. Suspension bushes and coil springs deserve attention given the vehicle has now passed 53,000 miles, and any knocking or uneven tyre wear would point to components that the MOT record alone cannot fully reveal. The clean 2025 pass is reassuring, but it represents a single snapshot, and hands-on verification of these mechanical areas remains essential before purchase.