2017 Ford Focus 1.0L Petrol · MK66 MGE

Fuel economy for the 1.0 EcoBoost petrol Focus typically returns around 45 to 55 mpg in real-world mixed driving, depending on whether it is the 100hp or 125hp tune, which keeps fuel costs reasonable for a car of this size. Road tax sits in a low VED bracket for a sub-1.0-litre petrol registered before April 2017 changes, generally £20 to £165 per year depending on the exact CO2 figure recorded on the V5C. Insurance is usually group 8-14 for this variant, which is moderate for a family hatch.

Routine maintenance costs are modest: a minor service including oil and filter is typically £120 to £180 at an independent garage, while tyres in the 205/55/16 size fitted to this car usually cost £50 to £90 each depending on brand. The recurring advisories on suspension bushes and front tyre wear suggest you should budget for at least one set of front tyres in the near term and potentially a suspension bush kit, which can add £150 to £300 in labour and parts. Overall estimated annual running cost is roughly £1,200 to £1,500 including fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance.

Begin with a physical inspection of all four tyres, paying particular attention to the inner edges of the front pair. The 2024 and 2025 MOT tests both flagged inside-edge wear on the 205/55/16 fronts, and uneven inner-edge wear on a Focus is frequently a sign of worn suspension components rather than just alignment. Ask the seller when the wheels were last aligned and inspect the front and rear suspension bushes by hand for any play or perishing in the rubber.

Next, inspect the underside for any corrosion, especially around the rear axle area and suspension mounting points, as corrosion is one of the top MOT failure categories across the Focus model range according to the aggregate data. On the test drive, listen for clonks or knocks over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate the suspension arm pins and swivel pins flagged in the 2026 advisory have worn beyond tolerance. Finally, verify all exterior lights function correctly and that the headlamp aim is not misaligned, as headlamp issues are another leading cause of MOT failure for this model overall.