2005 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · LL05 HBZ

A recurring theme of suspension wear and structural corrosion runs through the MOT history of this 2005 Ford Focus, with advisories on radius arm bushes, wishbone rear bushes and shock absorber oil misting appearing across multiple tests. The most recent examination on 8 February 2025 was recorded as a pass, but it carried four advisories, continuing a pattern established in 2023 and earlier. Of greater concern is the November 2022 failure for an excessively worn nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint, which was clearly a serious enough defect to fail the test outright before being remedied. The 2021 test similarly combined a failure on direction indicator colour with advisories for pitted front brake discs and corroded outer sill structure, suggesting the vehicle was already showing signs of age-related component deterioration some years ago. Overall, the trend across the five recorded tests from 2020 onward shows no outright pattern of recurring failure categories, but the advisories indicate ongoing wear to suspension components and chassis structure that a buyer should treat as a developing concern. With 94,673 miles recorded over a 21-year life, this Focus has averaged roughly 4,500 miles per year, a notably low annual accumulation for a vehicle of this age. Testing gaps are present, with intervals stretching from 2020 to 2021 and again from 2023 to 2025, which is consistent with low daily usage or extended periods of light use rather than active fleet work. Low annual mileage of this nature typically means slower wear on drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox, but it can also bring its own issues, including prolonged standing periods that allow rubber components, brake calipers and underseal to deteriorate more quickly than the odometer alone would suggest. The combination of low miles and the visible corrosion already flagged on sills and rear suspension components indicates the latter effect may already be influencing the vehicle's condition. Given the recorded advisories, a prospective buyer should focus particular attention on the suspension and underbody during any inspection. The 2025 advisory for a worn radius arm bush on the nearside rear and the 2023 advisory for a worn wishbone rear bush on the offside front both point to ongoing degradation of the pivot and linkage components that hold the suspension geometry in check. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps or potholes, and pay attention to any vague or wandering steering feel, clunks when turning, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle, as these can indicate bushes or ball joints that have deteriorated beyond advisory tolerance. The 2025 advisory for a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit on the edge also warrants a close look at the rear wheel alignment and suspension geometry, as edge wear typically signals camber issues rather than simple under-inflation. The corrosion picture deserves equal scrutiny before purchase. The 2021 advisories flagged both inner and outer sill corrosion on the nearside and offside rear, and the 2023 and 2025 tests both recorded corrosion on rear suspension components. On inspection, check the inner and outer sills thoroughly with a torch, feeling for any soft or bubbling metal particularly where the sill meets the rear wheel arch, and examine the rear suspension trailing arms, mounting points and any visible brake lines for surface rust or scaling. The 2023 advisory for light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber should be checked visually for any fresh oil residue on the damper body or coil spring, and the front brake discs should be inspected for lipping or rough surfaces, following on from the 2021 advisory for pitted front discs. Finally, verify that all direction indicators illuminate in the correct colour and that the registration plate lamps function, as both items have previously failed or been flagged on this vehicle.