2010 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · EX10 WKB

A sixteen-year-old Ford Focus with over 110,000 miles on the odometer carries a clear mechanical narrative centred on chronic front suspension wear, persistent oil seepage, and emerging structural corrosion at the rear subframe. The most recent test on 26 May 2026 returned a pass, but it did so alongside three advisories that mirror items flagged in earlier years, suggesting an ongoing rather than resolved deterioration. In June 2024 the vehicle failed on both front suspension arm rear bushes being excessively worn, a Major defect category, before passing the same day once repairs were evidently completed; advisories for light oil misting on both front shock absorbers were also recorded that day. Across 2021, 2022, and 2023 there is a consistent pattern of advisories for worn front suspension arm pins or bushes that had not yet crossed into failure territory, indicating progressive bush degradation that ultimately tipped into the dangerous or major category. The combination of repeated front suspension arm bush advisories, oil leak advisories at every test since at least 2022, and a newly recorded rear subframe corrosion advisory in 2025 and again in 2026 paints a picture of an older vehicle whose consumable and structural wear items are accumulating in tandem. Annual mileage of approximately 6,910 miles sits broadly in line with average usage for the vehicle's age, though the underlying pattern carries its own considerations. Recorded tests run consecutively from 2021 through 2026 with no lay-up gaps, indicating the car has remained in regular use rather than being stored for prolonged periods, which reduces the likelihood of seized brake calipers, perished rubber components, or 12V battery degradation from extended standing. Conversely, consistent road use combined with the advisories observed points to genuine wear progression on the suspension and engine sealing components, rather than deterioration caused by inactivity. There is no evidence within the records of any sudden, anomalous mileage jumps between tests that would suggest clock inconsistencies, though the absence of recorded mileages on each test line means the buyer should verify the continuous odometer history against the V5C and service documentation before purchase. From a buyer's perspective, the front suspension is the single area demanding the closest physical inspection. The 2024 failure centred on the rear bushes of both front suspension arms, and prior advisories from 2021, 2022, and 2023 repeatedly flagged these same components as worn but not yet failing. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly speed bumps and potholes, and pay attention to vague or wandering steering, any clunking when turning at low speed, or uneven tyre wear across the front pair, as these are classic symptoms of perished or displaced suspension arm bushes. Because the 2026 test still carries advisories for subframe corrosion, the vehicle should be raised on a ramp or inspected beneath on a hoist; surface corrosion on the rear subframe that has been deemed not seriously weakened can still progress between tests, and any flaking, scaling, or bubbling beyond what is visible from above should be viewed as a future repair liability. The front shock absorber misting advisories from 2024 also warrant a bounce test at each corner to confirm the dampers are not bottoming out, and any nose-dive under braking or continued oscillation after a sharp press down on the wing should be treated as confirmation that replacement is overdue. The persistent oil leak advisory, recorded at four consecutive tests from 2023 through 2026, is the other thread requiring direct attention. On a cold start, listen for any change in engine note or visible drips beneath the engine bay, and check the underside for fresh oil residue along the sump, cam cover gasket, or oil filter housing. The 2023 advisory noted power steering pump seepage, so particular care should be taken to inspect the area around the pump for fresh weeping and to verify the fluid level in the reservoir is at the correct mark. The 2026 advisory for a defective front exhaust mounting should also be physically checked by hand; a loose or broken mounting will produce a clonking or rattling noise from the exhaust under load or over rough ground, and is a straightforward but necessary repair. Finally, while no brake-related advisories appear in the history, the vehicle's age and mileage place brake discs, pads, and flexible hoses firmly within the normal replacement window, so a visual inspection of pad thickness, disc lipping, and the condition of the flexible brake hoses at each corner is advisable before purchase.