2016 Ford Focus 1.5L Diesel · MA16 PCF

A clear pattern of front braking wear runs through this Ford Focus's MOT history and should form the starting point of any inspection. The front brake pads were noted as wearing thin in November 2021, fell to less than 1.5 mm thick by November 2022 (a Dangerous defect on the retest), and were again flagged as thin at both fronts in November 2025 alongside worn but not excessively scored front discs. This is a recurring consumable pattern rather than a one-off, and the persistent advisory in 2025 indicates that although the car passed, the pads are once more approaching the point where replacement will be required. The offside front headlamp dipped beam failure in 2022 and the damaged offside wing mirror recorded that same year are isolated component failures rather than systemic issues, but they do show that body and electrical items have required attention. Mileage stands at 104,351 over roughly ten years, an annual accumulation of about 10,400 miles which is broadly typical for a car of this age and consistent with steady daily use rather than long periods off the road. The annual tests from 2020 through 2025 are evenly spaced with no obvious gaps in road use, and there are no sudden jumps between recorded readings that would suggest clocked figures or a dormant period followed by heavy use. That said, the cumulative effect of ten years and over 100,000 miles should be expected to show on suspension and drivetrain components, and the history already supports this with rear trailing arm front bush wear flagged on both sides in 2024. The rear suspension advisories from November 2024 are the most significant mechanical flags outside of the braking system. Both nearside and offside rear trailing arm front bushes were recorded as worn but not resulting in excessive movement, and although this passed at the time it is the type of advisory that tends to progress over the following twelve months. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the rear end during lane changes. With the car now nearly twelve months past that advisory and approaching 105,000 miles, these bushes should be physically inspected for play and any perishing of the rubber, as replacement is likely to be due imminently. Also check the rear trailing arm bushes alongside the rear axle for any visible cracking or movement when jacked. The front braking system demands a physical inspection before purchase. The 2025 advisory confirms the pads are wearing thin at both fronts, so check the pad material thickness directly and inspect the discs for lipping, scoring, or corrosion pitting around the outer edge, as the recorded thinness on both sides suggests uniform wear but the discs may also be nearing their minimum thickness. On the road, feel for any judder through the steering wheel under braking, which would indicate disc runout, and listen for grinding or squealing that might suggest the pads have been left too long. The front tyres were flagged for edge wear in both 2020 and 2024 on 215/50/17 fitment, which points to a recurring alignment or suspension geometry issue at the front, so check the current tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear and consider a four-wheel alignment if the pattern is visible. Verify that the offside wing mirror repair from 2021 is sound, and confirm both dipped headlamps function correctly before purchase.