2002 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · KG52 ACZ

The most recent DVSA MOT test, conducted on 3 January 2026, resulted in a pass, although it followed a failed attempt on the same date due to an offside front direction indicator not working, classified as a prs defect, which would have been rectified before the pass was issued. The maintenance trend across the recorded tests is broadly stable, with the vehicle consistently passing since at least September 2022, but a recurring pattern of advisory and minor defects has emerged over the past four years. The same oil leak advisory has been recorded at every test from 2022 through 2026, and the front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deterioration was flagged in both 2024 and 2026, indicating persistent but non-critical wear items that have neither deteriorated into failure points nor been repaired. The recorded mileage of 198,288 miles on a 24-year-old vehicle equates to an average annual usage of roughly 8,262 miles, which is broadly typical for its age and consistent with regular but modest daily driving rather than long-distance motorway use or commercial duty. The mileage progression between recorded tests suggests steady accumulation rather than significant gaps or standing periods, which is mechanically favourable as it implies the engine, transmission, and drivetrain components have remained in active service. However, at this overall mileage, internal wear on major mechanical assemblies such as the clutch, gearbox synchros, engine oil control components, and turbocharger if fitted, should be assumed to be well advanced, even though the MOT history does not directly report on these. For a prospective buyer, the recurring oil leak advisory warrants close physical inspection, as even a non-excessive leak from a vehicle of this age and mileage can originate from worn crankshaft seals, valve cover gaskets, or the timing chain area on the Zetec engine, and it is prudent to check the underside for fresh drips, oil residue on the sump or block, and the condition and level of the engine oil on the dipstick. The deteriorated front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers are a leading indicator that the drop links themselves may be nearing the end of their service life, so during a test drive, listen for clunking or rattling noises from the front suspension over speed bumps, uneven road surfaces, and during heavy steering inputs, and visually inspect the bushes for cracking, splitting, or play. The direction indicator failure recorded earlier in 2026, while likely a simple bulb or electrical connection issue, should prompt verification that all indicator, side repeater, and registration plate lamps function correctly, as repeated bulb failures can sometimes indicate underlying wiring or earth faults on older vehicles. Given the vehicle's age and high mileage, a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection should also cover items that MOT testing does not assess, including the condition of the timing belt and water pump replacement history, which on this engine typically requires attention at five to six-year intervals, the state of the coolant and brake fluid which degrade with time regardless of mileage, and the condition of the 12-volt battery which may be original or long-standing. The tyres should be examined for both legal tread depth and, critically, age-related sidewall perishing or cracking given the vehicle's 24-year age, as rubber compounds deteriorate with calendar age even if mileage is modest. The brake discs and calipers should be checked for corrosion, seizing, or binding after standing, and the handbrake operation verified on an incline. Finally, confirming a full service history with stamps or invoices for regular oil and filter changes at appropriate intervals will be the strongest indicator of how well this high-mileage example has been mechanically maintained.