2002 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · GL02 YLE

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2002 Ford Focus took place on 26 November 2025 and resulted in a pass with no defects or advisories recorded against the vehicle. Notably, the same date also shows a failed entry with no defects recorded, which is a common administrative occurrence where a vehicle fails on a prior category, is rectified off-site, and is then re-submitted and passed later the same day. Looking back over the available test history, the vehicle has passed each annual test since at least November 2022 without any recorded advisories or failures, indicating a stable and well-maintained MOT trend with no apparent deterioration in roadworthiness over the recorded period. The recorded mileage of 73,354 miles against a vehicle that is approximately 24 years of age equates to an average annual usage of around 3,056 miles, which is exceptionally low. This figure suggests the car has either been used very sparingly, possibly for short local journeys only, or that it has spent significant time laid up in storage between infrequent uses. While low mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine and gearbox, it presents its own set of mechanical considerations, as prolonged standing periods can accelerate degradation of rubber seals, drive belts, brake components, and fluid condition rather than wearing them through normal use. Given the clean advisory record but the unusually low annual mileage and advanced age of the vehicle, particular physical attention should be paid to age-related deterioration rather than wear-related issues. The tyres should be inspected closely for sidewall perishing, cracking, and brittleness, as rubber compounds degrade significantly after approximately six to eight years regardless of tread depth; any DOT date code older than 2018 would warrant immediate replacement. The brake discs and calipers are likely to suffer from corrosion due to standing, with seized caliper slide mechanisms and rusted disc surfaces being common; during a test drive, listen for scraping or grinding on first application and feel for any pulling to one side under braking. Similarly, the 12V battery is highly likely to be at the end of its service life given the calendar age, and a load test or simple voltage check under load is strongly advised before purchase. Further inspection should focus on time-based servicing items that do not depend on mileage accumulation. Coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid all suffer from hygroscopic moisture absorption and chemical degradation over time, with brake fluid typically requiring renewal every two to three years to prevent corrosion within the ABS modulator and brake caliper bores. The timing belt, auxiliary drive belts, and cambelt water pump on a 1.6 or 1.8 litre Zetec engine should be verified as replaced within the last four to five years or 60,000 miles, as a snapped timing belt on this engine will result in catastrophic valve and cylinder head damage. Beneath the vehicle, the exhaust system, subframe mounting points, suspension bushes, and coil springs should be examined for corrosion, as Yorkshire-type road salt exposure over two decades commonly affects these areas. Finally, under-bonnet checks for oil leaks from the cam cover gasket, valve cover breathers, and sump, together with verification of a full main agent or specialist service history, will provide valuable confirmation that the low recorded mileage genuinely reflects careful stewardship rather than deferred maintenance.