2007 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · LM07 LZP

A persistent electrical defect defines the recent MOT history of this 2007 Ford Focus, with stop lamp failures appearing on three separate occasions across the 2020, 2022, and 2023 tests, including a Major failure for the offside stop lamp in 2020 and subsequent Nearside Stop lamp failures in both 2022 and 2023. The repetition of this exact component across multiple years suggests an unresolved wiring, switch, or bulb-holder issue rather than a one-off component failure, and a prospective buyer should be particularly alert to non-functioning brake lights, intermittent operation, or any dashboard bulb warnings on inspection. Beyond the lamp issue, the most recent test on 2023-12-06 returned a pass with no advisories recorded, and the 2022 test was also a clean pass, indicating that aside from the recurring lighting fault the vehicle has otherwise met roadworthiness standards without significant wear items being flagged. The pre-2020 record is sparser in the data provided, but a pattern emerges of front brake and tyre advisories alongside exhaust mounting deterioration in 2020, followed by a clean 2021 pass with only a deteriorated number plate noted. With 142,470 miles recorded against a 19-year-old vehicle, the annual mileage of roughly 7,498 miles is broadly typical for a car of this age, though the test record shows only five MOT entries stretching back to 2019, which suggests either a gap in the available history or extended periods off the road between tests. The relatively stable mileage progression between consecutive annual tests, rather than any sudden jumps or gaps of several thousand miles in a single year, points to consistent regular use rather than a high-mileage motorway commuter profile. Mechanically, this level of usage on a Focus of this vintage places moderate but not extreme demand on consumables, although the cumulative effect of nearly 150,000 miles on suspension components, engine mounts, and the dual-clutch or manual gearbox internals will still warrant close attention during any physical inspection. Given the recurring stop lamp advisories, an electrical inspection focusing on the brake light switch at the pedal, the condition of the wiring loom through the rear hatch hinge area, and the bulb holders themselves is essential, as these are known wear points on the Focus and may explain the pattern observed. On a test drive, particular attention should be paid to the front brake system in light of the 2020 advisories for worn and pitted nearside and offside front discs, as well as the nearside front brake pad wearing thin; the buyer should listen for any scraping, grinding, or squealing under light braking, and feel for judder or vibration through the pedal that would indicate the discs have now passed the point of acceptable resurfacing and require replacement. The front exhaust mounting advisory from 2020 should also be re-examined, as a perished or broken mounting can allow the exhaust to drop onto heat shields or the underbody, producing a rattle or clonking audible from the cabin over bumps and during idle. Suspension condition is a key area to probe on a high-mileage Focus, with no recorded advisories in the data provided meaning there is no specific component to target but also no reassurance of recent work. The test drive should include firm application of the brakes at low speed to check for pull to one side, suggesting a binding caliper, and the car should be driven over uneven roads and speed bumps to listen for clonking from the front wishbones, anti-roll bar drop links, or rear axle bushes, all of which are known wear items on this platform. The nearside and offside front tyres flagged in 2019 and 2020 as worn on the edge should prompt a current inspection of tread depth across the full width of each tyre, as uneven inner-edge wear on a Focus typically indicates worn suspension bushes or top mounts. Finally, a thorough underside examination is recommended to check for the beginnings of structural or subframe corrosion, which becomes increasingly common on later-2000s Focks exposed to winter road salt, and any signs of fluid leaks from the engine or transmission should be investigated before purchase.