2004 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · FY04 AEZ

The 2004 Ford Focus is presently roadworthy, having passed the 27 July 2026 MOT at 61,851 miles with no defects recorded. While earlier tests from 2023 through 2025 repeatedly flagged suspension play, heavy corrosion of front suspension components, and various brake advisories, the most recent successful test shows a clean result, indicating that any previous faults may have been rectified or that the vehicle’s condition has stabilised. With 61,851 miles accumulated over 22 years, the vehicle averages just over 2,800 miles per year, a figure that suggests relatively light use or extended periods of standing. The interval between the 18 July 2025 test at 60,047 miles and the 27 July 2026 test at 61,851 miles represents an increase of 1,804 miles in 11 months, a rate higher than the long‑term average and indicating that the car has been driven more actively in the past year. A buyer should therefore examine the front suspension geometry, paying close attention to the track‑rod end ball joint, anti‑roll bar linkage dust covers and ball joints, as the MOT history records excessive play and dust‑cover failures on both sides. Inspection of the front hubs and suspension bushes for corrosion is essential, given the repeated reports of heavy corrosion to the front suspension components and hubs. The brake system should be checked for the condition of the front and rear discs, the state of the brake hoses and ferrules for corrosion, and verification that the rear brakes are not noisy or imbalanced, as these issues have recurred since 2023. Finally, the structural integrity of the sub‑frame and rear suspension mounting points for rust should be assessed, and tyre tread depth and sidewall condition verified, as the record shows repeated perishing and cuts across all four tyres. Ensuring that any recent repair of the near‑side front track‑rod end ball joint has eliminated play and that the vehicle’s overall mechanical health remains consistent with the clean 2026 test will provide confidence in its continued roadworthiness.