2020 Ford Focus 1.5L Petrol · EO20 TZA

The 1.5-litre petrol Focus typically returns around 45-50 mpg in real-world mixed driving, depending on whether it is the standard engine or the EcoBoost variant, with combined WLTP figures of 50-55 mpg for most versions. As a Euro 6 petrol registered after April 2017, this Focus sits in a relatively low road tax band, with VED costing around £165 per year in the standard rate. Insurance for a 1.5 Focus generally falls into groups 14-18, meaning a typical annual premium in the £450-£650 range for a standard driver, though this varies considerably with location and driving history.

Routine maintenance for this generation of Focus is reasonably affordable, with a major service typically costing £200-£300 at an independent garage and £300-£450 at a Ford dealer. The most common replacement items are brake pads and discs, tyres, and occasional coolant and spark plug changes. Allowing for fuel, tax, insurance, and maintenance together, a sensible annual running cost estimate for a Focus of this age and mileage is in the region of £1,800-£2,200 per year, assuming around 8,000 miles of driving.

Given that the MOT record shows no recorded defects across four tests, there is no specific failure pattern to follow up on from the history itself. However, the model's most common MOT failure reasons across the wider Ford Focus population are tyres, headlamps, and corrosion, so all three deserve focused attention on inspection. Check the tread depth across all four tyres and look for uneven wear, which can indicate alignment or suspension issues, and inspect the headlamp lenses for clouding or cracking, particularly on the offside unit which tends to suffer more from stone chips on UK roads.

For corrosion, pay particular attention to the rear wheel arches, the tailgate lower edge, and any suspension components visible from underneath, as these are the areas most prone to rust on earlier examples of this generation Focus. On the 1.5 EcoBoost engine specifically, listen for any timing chain rattle on a cold start, check the coolant reservoir for signs of emulsification, and ask whether the car has had any recent top-ups of oil or coolant, which could indicate underlying wear. A thorough test drive should include steady-state motorway driving to check for any vibration or excessive noise, plus low-speed manoeuvres to confirm the clutch is engaging smoothly without slipping.