2003 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · LD53 AMX
2003 Ford Focus (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Sept 2003. Recorded mileage 86,398 miles. MOT status: Failed.
- Make & Model
- FORD FOCUS
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Stanmore (North London)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Failed
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (31 Oct 2022)
- Recorded Mileage
- 86,398 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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LD53 AMX Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 22/09/2022
- 86,398 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 20 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
LD53 AMX MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
1 MOT test are recorded for this 2003 Ford Focus (LD53 AMX) between September 2022 and September 2022.
The record contains 0 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 22 September 2022 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (8 issues), Brakes (3 issues), Tyres (1 issue), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 15 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))”; “Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))”; “Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))”.
Technical Specifications
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Identification & Status
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MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise extreme caution before purchasi
If you proceed with an inspection, your primary focus must be on the underside of the car. The 2022 MOT failure list is extensive, citing corrosion on the front sub-frame, rear sub-frame, and multiple suspension component mountings. You should request a professional underside inspection to determine if this corrosion has progressed from 'not seriously weakened' to structural failure.
Negotiate based on the cost of potential heavy repairs. Given the history of brake pipe corrosion and suspension component issues, there is a high probability that significant welding or component replacement will be required soon. Ask for evidence of any work carried out following the 2022 failure to ensure the reported corrosion was actually addressed rather than just noted.
As a 1.6L petrol model from 2003, running costs are relatively predictable. Fuel economy for this era of Focus is generally moderate, and being a petrol engine, it should fall into a mid-range insurance group.
However, maintenance costs for this specific vehicle could be volatile. While routine servicing is standard, the documented history of oil leaks and widespread corrosion suggests that unexpected repair bills for suspension, braking, and exhaust systems are a significant risk. Expect higher-than-average annual maintenance costs if the underlying corrosion issues are not fully rectified.
You must inspect the braking system thoroughly, specifically the brake hoses and pipes, as the 2022 MOT recorded both corrosion to the ferrules and excessive corrosion on the nearside front brake pipe. Check the efficiency of the parking brake, which was noted as below requirements in 2022.
Closely examine the suspension and chassis. The MOT records show a recurring pattern of corrosion in the anti-roll bars, coil springs, and suspension arm mountings. Specifically, check the 'prescribed areas' of the sills and suspension mountings, as these were flagged for corrosion in the 2022 test. Finally, check for any signs of active oil leaks, as this was a recorded issue in both 2021 and 2022.
This 2003 Ford Focus 1.6 petrol shows a pattern of significant corrosion documented in its recent MOT history. While the mileage of 86,398 at the time of the 2022 test is relatively low for a 20-year-old vehicle, the sheer volume of failures related to sub-frames, suspension mountings, and brake pipes is a major concern. The vehicle has struggled to maintain compliance, evidenced by the heavy list of failures in 2022.
Aggregate data for this model shows an average MOT pass rate of 79.2%, with common failure points including tyres, headlamps, and anti-roll bars.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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