2021 Ford Focus 1.5L Diesel · EA71 OXH

The 2021 Ford Focus presents a stable but watchful maintenance picture following its most recent MOT pass on 27 November 2025 at 34,253 miles. That test flagged both nearside and offside rear outer brake pads wearing thin, indicating the vehicle is entering a routine braking service window rather than suffering a sudden failure. A front dash and DPF regeneration warning light was also recorded, suggesting the diesel particulate filter may not be completing passive regenerations under typical use. No dangerous or major structural defects were identified, and the overall trend shows no escalating mechanical deterioration between the two recorded tests. The mileage progression is clean and consistent. The car covered 5,570 miles between the November 2024 test at 28,683 miles and the November 2025 test at 34,253 miles, aligning with the roughly 6,850 miles per year average expected for a five-year-old vehicle. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden accumulation spikes in the supplied record, and the annual test intervals suggest regular, if minimal, oversight by the keeper. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the braking system and exhaust aftertreatment. The rear pads were noted as thin at the most recent test, so expect a pad and disc replacement imminently if not already done. Check the condition of the rear brake discs for lipping and scoring, and verify that the calipers slide freely without binding. The illuminated DPF light from the November 2025 test warrants a diagnostic scan to read soot load values and regeneration history. A car doing short, low-speed runs may never reach exhaust temperatures needed for passive burns, risking a costly forced regeneration or filter replacement. Tyre maintenance appears inconsistent. The November 2024 test flagged both front tyres worn to the legal limit and heavily worn on the inner shoulders, a classic sign of underinflation or worn suspension tracking. Although no tyre defects were flagged in 2025, a buyer should still inspect the inner edges of all four tyres and check the condition of the front suspension bushes, ball joints, and wheel alignment settings. Uneven wear patterns recurring across two consecutive years suggest the previous keeper may have deferred basic upkeep, so a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion, leaking dampers, and loose fixings is advisable before purchase.