2016 Ford Focus 1.5L Diesel · ML66 HBA

The 2016 Ford Focus passed its most recent MOT on 16 June 2025 at 159,390 miles, but the record reveals a pattern of deferred maintenance rather than consistent upkeep. The same test session shows a fail followed by a pass on the identical date and mileage, indicating a retest after rectification. Advisories for worn tyres and a track rod end with slight play were carried forward from the initial failure, suggesting cosmetic or minor items were tolerated rather than proactively replaced. The maintenance trend is broadly stable but shows recurring neglect of basic consumables. The vehicle has covered 159,390 miles over roughly ten years, averaging approximately 15,939 miles per year, which is high for a small family hatchback. Mileage accumulation accelerated noticeably between June 2023 and June 2025, jumping from 132,068 to 159,390 miles in just two years, an increase of 27,322 miles. This rapid accumulation places additional stress on suspension bushes, brake components, drivetrain mounts, and the exhaust system. The MOT record itself is sparse, with only three test cycles documented, limiting the ability to track longer-term wear patterns. A buyer should inspect the front suspension carefully. The June 2025 test flagged a nearside front track rod end ball joint with slight play, a condition that directly affects steering precision and often indicates worn inner tie rods or rack bushings. The repeated appearance of worn brake pads and inner pad wear below 1.5 mm in the June 2024 failure points to binding calipers or seized slide pins, which should be checked alongside disc thickness and condition. Tyre wear is a persistent theme across multiple tests, with nearside rear tyres repeatedly noted as damaged, perishing, or worn to the legal limit, suggesting possible wheel alignment issues or suspension geometry wear. The June 2024 failure also recorded a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system and an inoperative engine MIL, which could indicate a blown bulb, a faulty ECU, or a deliberate attempt to mask an emissions-related fault. A buyer should verify the MIL illuminates on ignition and request a diagnostic scan for stored fault codes. Given the high mileage and recurring advisories, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion, particularly around subframes, sills, and suspension mounting points, is essential before purchase.