2006 Ford Focus 2.5L Petrol · EY06 ABZ

A chronic pattern of edge-worn front tyres and a deteriorating anti-roll bar dust cover define the recent MOT trajectory of this twenty-year-old Ford Focus, with the 14 March 2025 pass marking the weakest test outcome on file. Across the four recorded examinations since 2022, three advisory categories have recurred or appeared for the first time in 2025, indicating progressive component wear rather than intermittent issues. Both front tyres were flagged for edge wear on inner and outer shoulders simultaneously, the near-side rear tyre appeared for the second consecutive year with edge wear, and the off-side front upper anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover was recorded as severely deteriorated. The 2025 test also produced a minor failure for an inoperative registration plate lamp, a trivial electrical fault but one that nevertheless accumulated alongside the structural advisories. Two completely clean passes in 2022 and 2023 followed by deteriorating defect density in 2024 and 2025 points to a vehicle entering a phase where consumable and suspension items require closer attention than the early record would suggest. Recorded mileage of 147,513 miles across roughly two decades equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 7,376 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a car of this vintage. There are no notable gaps in the testing record, with annual or near-annual submissions from 2022 onwards suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods. At this mileage level, internal wear across the drivetrain, suspension bushes, engine mounts, clutch and gearbox synchronisers is to be expected regardless of MOT outcome, as the test does not assess many of these wear-prone internal components. Routine replacement intervals for items such as timing belt and water pump, brake fluid, coolant and transmission fluid will have been exceeded several times over, and any prospective buyer should establish when these services were last carried out through separate documentation rather than relying on the MOT history alone. Given the recurring edge-worn tyre advisories, the alignment geometry warrants close inspection. Simultaneous inner and outer edge wear on both front tyres as recorded in March 2025 is a classic indicator of either camber misalignment, worn front suspension bushes, or sagging coil springs, all of which are common failure points on a Focus of this age. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed bumps, and pay attention to any steering drift, pulling to one side, or uneven steering self-centring. The near-side front lower wishbone bushes and track rod ends are particularly susceptible to deterioration on this platform and should be physically checked for play by rocking each front wheel with the car raised. The upper anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deterioration noted in 2025 allows moisture and grit to enter the joint, accelerating wear, so any knocking or rattle from the front anti-roll bar under cornering or over bumps should be investigated promptly. Brake-related components have not been flagged in the recorded advisories, but at 147,513 miles a thorough inspection of the discs, pads, caliper slide pins and flexible brake hoses remains prudent. Brake pedal feel should be firm and consistent, with no excessive travel or sponginess, and the vehicle should pull up straight under both light and firm pedal application without juddering through the steering. Listen for any grinding, scraping or binding noises from the wheels during low-speed manoeuvring, which would indicate worn pads or a seized caliper. The exhaust system, while not flagged in the MOT history provided, is another age-related concern worth checking for blowing joints, corrosion at the mounting brackets and deterioration of the rear silencer, as twenty years of road salt exposure will have taken a toll. Finally, verify the condition of the under-bonnet components including the radiator, coolant hoses and wiring loom for any heat damage or rodent activity, given the vehicle's prolonged service life.