2018 Ford Focus 1.0L Petrol · MF67 HSA

A pattern of minor advisories rather than outright failures characterises this Ford Focus roadworthiness record, with the test on 5 January 2026 passing but flagging front tyre wear down to approximately 3 mm of tread along with visible signs of an oil leak from beneath an undertray. Across six recorded examinations spanning 2021 to early 2026, the vehicle has passed every test outright, yet four of those six tests have carried advisories, indicating a steady accumulation of wear-related observations rather than a clean sheet. Front inner brake pads were first noted as wearing thin in January 2022, reappeared in the same form in January 2023, and have not been flagged since, suggesting those items were subsequently replaced. The rear tyres showed sidewall damage and perishing in 2023, which has not reappeared in subsequent tests, implying renewal at that point. The most recent advisory cluster, combining front tyre wear close to the legal limit with an emerging oil leak, suggests attention is now required to consumables and fluid sealing rather than structural or braking integrity. The recorded mileage of 35,291 miles against an eight-year vehicle age equates to roughly 4,400 miles per year, which sits at the lower end of expected use for a car of this type and age. MOT testing has occurred annually without interruption, so there is no evidence of a multi-year lay-up that might otherwise raise concerns about seized brakes, deteriorated rubber seals, or a depleted 12V battery. Low annual mileage does, however, mean that some deterioration observed at recent tests is more likely attributable to age-related polymer hardening, oxidation, and fluid ageing rather than mechanical wear from high distance accumulation. The gradual advisory accumulation is consistent with a lightly used vehicle where ageing of components such as tyre rubber, brake pad material, and engine gaskets progresses even when the odometer advances slowly. For a prospective buyer, the most relevant items to investigate on a physical inspection are the front tyres and the oil leak identified in the latest test. The fronts should be inspected for even wear across both edges, as uneven inner-edge wear on a Focus typically points to worn suspension components, geometry misalignment, or worn front strut top mounts; the tread should be measured and confirmed clear of the legal 1.6 mm limit, particularly given that the last test recorded only 3 mm. The oil leak warrants inspection from underneath the vehicle with the undertray removed if possible, checking the sump, cam cover gasket, and oil filter housing for active seepage, and the underside should be examined for fresh oil residue versus dried staining. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, as the lower control arm bushes and anti-roll bar drop links are common wear items on this generation of Focus and have not been inspected under load in the MOT records. The braking system should be checked for pedal firmness and for any pulling to one side under steady braking, which would suggest a binding caliper given that inner pad wear was previously observed. Finally, the rear tyres should be visually examined for any renewed cracking or perishing in the sidewalls, as the 2023 advisory noted deterioration on both rear tyres, and rubber compounds continue to degrade with age regardless of remaining tread depth. The fact that the car has passed every MOT outright over the five-year testing window demonstrates basic roadworthiness under DVSA criteria, though the latest advisories indicate that the vehicle is approaching a point where replacement of the front tyres and investigation of the oil leak will be due. A pre-purchase inspection from a garage with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be advisable to confirm the source and freshness of the oil leak, assess the front suspension condition in detail, and verify that the previously worn inner brake pads have been renewed and the caliper slide pins are functioning correctly.