2005 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · FN55 XBU

This 2005 Ford Focus presents a stable but ageing mechanical picture. The most recent MOT, passed on 14 August 2025 at 32,429 miles, is now ten months old. While the car remains legally roadworthy on paper, the advisory pattern reveals a gradual deterioration in front suspension bushes rather than a sudden failure. The tester flagged worn Macpherson strut pins and bushes, plus worn anti-roll bar bushes, all noted as not yet causing excessive movement. These are progressive wear items, and the trend from the 2023 failure suggests the front end has been a recurring weak point that the previous owner addressed just enough to pass. The mileage profile is unusually low for a 21-year-old vehicle. At roughly 1,544 miles per year, the Focus has covered only 32,429 miles since new. The annual increments are consistent, rising from 28,693 miles in August 2022 to 29,824 miles in August 2023, then 31,177 miles in August 2024, and finally 32,429 miles in August 2025. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the record. Low annual use often means long periods standing still, which can cause perished rubber bushes and dry corrosion on brake components even when mileage is modest. The repeated appearance of nails in the offside rear tyre across multiple tests also hints at slow punctures or neglected tyre condition rather than simple bad luck. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering. The 2023 failure recorded excessively worn suspension arm pins and bushes on both sides, and the 2025 pass still flagged worn strut and anti-roll bar bushes. This points to a car that has likely spent time on rough roads or with aged components that were patched rather than fully replaced. Check the front top mounts for play, inspect the lower arm bushes for cracking, and examine the anti-roll bar links for knocks. The repeated tyre advisories, including one marked very close to the legal limit, suggest the tracking may be out or the tyres have worn unevenly from the worn suspension geometry. Beyond the suspension, look for corrosion on the subframe and inner wing seams, common on older Focuses. The light misting of oil noted on both front shock absorbers in 2022 was not flagged in later tests, but a physical check for oil dampening or bounce is still worthwhile. Brake discs and pads deserve attention given the low mileage, as standing vehicles often suffer from surface corrosion and binding calipers. Overall, the record shows a car that has been kept on the road with minimal spend rather than properly refreshed. Budget for front suspension bush replacement and a thorough corrosion check before purchase.