2004 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · KB04 AED

The vehicle presents a significant roadworthiness risk, with a maintenance trend that is clearly worsening. The most recent test on 2 March 2023 at 226,500 miles resulted in a failure involving critical structural and safety defects. While the 2022 records show a pattern of recurring issues, the 2023 failure escalated from minor corrosion and consumable wear to serious structural integrity concerns. The tester flagged the offside rear subframe as excessively corroded and seriously weakened, specifically where it mounts to the chassis above the coil spring. This, combined with excessive corrosion on the suspension component mounting areas, indicates advanced structural decay that compromises the vehicle's fundamental safety. The mileage history shows a consistent usage pattern for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 10,300 miles per year. Between February 2022 and March 2023, the vehicle covered 6,338 miles. This steady accumulation suggests the car has been in regular use, which often accelerates the degradation of metal components in older vehicles exposed to road salt and moisture. The lack of any MOT entries since March 2023 means the vehicle has been untested for over three years relative to the current date of August 2026, making the recorded condition highly suspect and likely outdated. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the chassis and subframes, focusing heavily on the offside rear mounting points and the areas around the shock absorber top mounts. The history shows a persistent failure to address systemic issues; brake pipes on both the front and rear have been flagged for excessive corrosion across multiple tests, and the exhaust system has shown a continuous decline from minor leaks to a poor condition. The recurring engine misfire noted in both 2022 and 2023 suggests an unresolved mechanical fault that requires diagnostic attention. The suspension and steering components also require immediate scrutiny. The 2023 test identified play in the steering rack inner joints and a worn track rod end, alongside widespread corrosion on all four coil springs. Given the documented structural weakening and the long gap since the last recorded inspection, the vehicle's ability to pass a modern MOT is highly questionable without extensive and costly remedial work to the underside and braking systems.