2004 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · EO04 GMV
2004 Ford Focus (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2004. Recorded mileage 182,001 miles. MOT valid until 20 Aug 2027. Taxed until 01 Mar 2027.
- Make & Model
- FORD FOCUS
- Year / Origin
- 2004 · Chelmsford
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 20 Aug 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Mar 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 182,001 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
EO04 GMV Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 19/08/2026
- 182,001 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
EO04 GMV MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2004 Ford Focus (EO04 GMV) between August 2024 and August 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 19 August 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (9 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Steering (3 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 28 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii))”; “Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii))”; “Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))”.
EO04 GMV Mileage History
- 20/08/2024167,065 mi
- 20/08/2024167,065 mi
- 14/08/2025174,749 mi+7,684 mi
- 14/08/2025174,749 mi
- 19/08/2026182,001 mi+7,252 mi
Average of roughly 7,484 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Ford Ford Focus Mk1 (C170)
Our database tracks 6 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise extreme caution before purchasi
Prioritise a thorough inspection of the underside of the vehicle. The MOT history shows a consistent trend of corrosion on the rear subframe and suspension components from 2024 through to 2026. You should ask for evidence of any recent welding or structural repairs, as 'corroded' components are a recurring theme in the records.
Negotiate the price downwards to account for the high mileage and the likely upcoming need for suspension and brake system maintenance. Ensure you check the condition of the fuel lines and brake pipes specifically, as the 2026 MOT noted a corroded nearside front brake pipe, following previous issues with the rear fuel pipe.
As a 1.6L petrol model, running costs will be relatively standard for a car of this age. Fuel economy should be moderate, though the high mileage may affect efficiency if maintenance is deferred. Tax and insurance groups for a 2004 Focus are typically low, making it affordable to insure.
However, maintenance costs may be higher than average due to the age and the observed pattern of corrosion-related failures. You should budget for frequent replacement of suspension bushes, arms, and potentially exhaust or fuel system components. Estimated annual running costs are likely to be higher due to these age-related repairs.
Focus heavily on the vehicle's chassis and underside. The MOT history explicitly mentions a corroded rear subframe in 2024, 2025, and 2026, as well as corroded suspension arms. You must check if these issues have been addressed with new parts or merely monitored.
Additionally, inspect the braking system and fuel delivery. The most recent MOT (August 2026) identified a corroded nearside front brake pipe and play in the steering rack inner joint. Given the previous history of fuel pipe corrosion, any signs of weeping or surface rust around the fuel lines should be treated as a high priority.
This 2004 Ford Focus has covered 182,001 miles, which is significantly higher than the model average of 6,873 miles per year. The MOT record reveals a pattern of recurring corrosion affecting the rear subframe, suspension arms, and fuel pipes across multiple years. While it has passed its most recent test, the frequency of structural and safety-related advisories suggests a vehicle nearing the end of its practical life.
Aggregate data for this model shows an average MOT pass rate of 79.2%, with corrosion being one of the top reasons for failure.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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FORD FOCUS Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
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Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2004 model year cars.
- Rear Suspension Control Arm RustSerious
The pressed steel lower transverse control arms, camber links, and track control arms of the pioneering multi-link 'Control Blade' rear suspension are fabricated from thin-gauge steel that is highly vulnerable to corrosion. Trapped water and road salt inside the boxed sections cause structural rot from the inside out, often flaking away until the arms bend or snap under cornering loads. Pivot bolts also seize solid inside the inner rubber bushing sleeves, requiring cutting with reciprocating saws during replacement.
- Speed Sensor (VSS) FailureModerate
The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) mounted on top of the IB5 manual gearbox fails due to heat cycling and internal electrical degradation. When the speed signal cuts out intermittently or completely, the speedometer needle abruptly drops to zero, and the digital odometer screen displays dashes. Crucially, because the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) uses the VSS reading to manage idle speed during deceleration, a dying sensor causes the engine to stall unexpectedly when coasting or braking to a halt.
- Washer Jet Seal Water Ingress & MisfireModerate
The bonnet-mounted windscreen washer jets feature thin foam sealing washers that degrade and shrink over time under sun and weather exposure. Rainwater and washer fluid leak past the nozzles, dripping straight down into the deep central spark plug recesses of the Zetec-SE cylinder head. The standing water causes severe electrolytic corrosion of the spark plugs and high-tension leads, tracking ignition spark to earth and resulting in sharp engine misfires, stuttering under load, and ruined coil packs.
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