2002 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · MF02 ATV

The most recent MOT test on January 18, 2023, at 161,221 miles confirmed the vehicle as roadworthy with no defects recorded. However, this follows a critical failure in December 2021 at 157,507 miles, where the tester identified severe corrosion on the offside rear suspension mounting, a leaking near-side rear brake cylinder, and imbalanced rear brakes—all of which resulted in a service brake efficiency failure. The subsequent test in January 2022 at 157,517 miles passed without issues, suggesting the faults were addressed, though no evidence of corrective work is visible in the record. The pattern indicates a single, significant intervention between the 2021 failure and 2022 pass, but the absence of further failures since then does not guarantee long-term stability, particularly for the suspension and braking systems. The mileage progression shows a steady accumulation of approximately 6,700 miles annually, which aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. There are no unusual gaps or spikes in the record, though the 2021 failure occurred just five miles before the 2022 test, implying either a swift repair or a temporary bypass of the MOT deadline. The lack of intermediate tests between 2022 and 2023 means no recent verification of the suspension’s structural integrity or brake system performance. Given the vehicle’s age and the prior corrosion-related failure, proactive monitoring of wear patterns would be prudent. A buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the rear suspension components, particularly the offside mounting points and bushings, to confirm there is no further corrosion or degradation since the 2021 failure. The near-side rear brake cylinder leak and imbalanced brakes from 2021 warrant scrutiny of the entire rear brake assembly, including caliper binding, disc warpage, and hydraulic line integrity. Tyre condition should also be checked, as the 2021 failure noted a rear tyre fouling the suspension arm—a sign of possible misalignment or excessive wear. Finally, the structural sill area near the rear wheel arches should be visually inspected for signs of rust progression, especially if the vehicle has experienced wet or salty conditions.