2016 Ford Focus 1.5L Petrol · EO66 YJL

The 2016 Ford Focus presents a stable and generally improving maintenance picture following its most recent MOT pass on 24 March 2026 at 87,529 miles. The tester flagged play in the steering rack inner joint(s), a repeat advisory previously noted on the 2025 test at 86,000 miles specifically on the offside. This recurring wear item has persisted across consecutive annual inspections without escalating to a failure, suggesting the rack end is degrading gradually rather than catastrophically. The vehicle has not suffered a test failure since April 2024, indicating the owner addressed the tyre defects promptly and has maintained the car adequately since. The mileage accumulation of roughly 8,753 miles per year sits squarely within typical annual use for a ten-year-old vehicle. The record shows a notable jump of approximately 6,300 miles between the April 2023 test at 78,466 miles and the April 2024 test at 84,776 miles, followed by a more modest gain of around 1,224 miles over the subsequent twelve months to March 2025. This pattern suggests a period of heavier use that has since settled into lighter, more consistent driving. No significant gaps appear in the annual test continuity, giving confidence that the mileage record is genuine and the car has not been standing idle for extended periods. The recurring steering rack inner joint wear warrants close physical inspection. A buyer should check for clunking over uneven surfaces and excessive free play at the steering wheel, as a worn inner joint can progress to a dangerous failure if left unaddressed. The 2023 advisory for worn and pitted front brake discs on both sides also demands attention, particularly given the relatively low mileage since that test. Corroded or lipped disc edges and uneven pad wear should be measured, as pitting compromises braking efficiency and accelerates pad degradation. The April 2024 failure for multiple tyre defects, including a penetrating nail in the nearside rear and a deep cut exposing cords on the same axle, raises questions about tyre care habits. While the faults were rectified, a buyer should inspect all four tyres for uneven wear patterns, sidewall damage, and age-related cracking, especially if the tyres date from before the 2024 repair. Suspension bushes and coil springs should also be examined for deterioration, as a car accumulating motorway miles at this age commonly develops worn anti-roll bar links and bushings that may not yet appear on the record.