2020 Ford Focus ST-Line Edition Mhev 1.0L Petrol · ML70 KBO

The mechanical story of this 2020 Ford Focus ST-Line Edition MHEV is defined almost entirely by its rear braking system. Across five recorded tests, the only deviation from a clean pass is a single major failure on 29 August 2025 for an excessively fluctuating rear service brake, a defect that caused the vehicle to fail outright rather than pass with a note. Three days later, on 1 September 2025, the car was re-presented and passed with no defects recorded, indicating the issue was rectified within a very short window. Prior to that, the only recorded advisory anywhere in the history is a note from 30 August 2024 that the rear brake disc was worn, pitted or scored but not seriously weakened, suggesting a progressive deterioration of the rear braking hardware in the year leading up to the failure. The most recent test on 24 August 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, which demonstrates that the rectification work has held, though the rear brakes remain the single mechanical theme of the entire record. The recorded mileage of 54,909 against an age of roughly six years equates to an annual accumulation of around 9,150 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a car of this type and age. There are no extended gaps between test dates that would suggest long periods off the road, nor any unusually large single-year jumps that might indicate rapid, high-mileage use such as motorway commuting or fleet operation. The progression from the first recorded test through to the most recent entry is consistent and orderly, with each annual test falling within its expected window. At this annual rate, the braking components, suspension bushes, tyres and drivetrain parts will have experienced a moderate, steady workload rather than the accelerated wear typically associated with high-mileage examples or the specific risks attached to low‑mileage, infrequently driven vehicles. For a prospective buyer, the rear braking hardware should be the priority focus of any physical inspection and test drive. On a road test, listen for any grinding, scraping or rhythmic squealing from the rear wheels that could indicate worn pads or a scored disc returning, and feel through the pedal for any judder, pulsing or sponginess under firm braking, particularly at lower speeds where fluctuating rear brake performance tends to manifest most clearly. With the vehicle stationary and the handbrake applied on an incline, check whether the car holds firmly without creeping, as rear brake issues on this generation of Focus can sometimes interact with the electronic parking brake mechanism. Also visually inspect the rear discs for a pronounced lip at the outer edge and any visible scoring or blueing from heat, which would suggest the discs have been subjected to uneven pad contact or repeated heavy use. Beyond the braking system, a targeted inspection of the suspension is worthwhile given the moderate annual mileage and the fact that components such as rear bushings, coil springs and anti-roll bar links on Focus models of this era are known to wear progressively. On the test drive, pay attention to any clonks, knocks or excessive bouncing over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the rear axle, and listen for any creaking when steering at low speed, which can indicate worn drop links or top mounts. The mild-hybrid 48V system itself has no recorded MOT defects, but it is sensible to confirm that the engine restarts smoothly after any auto stop-start events and that no warning lights relating to the hybrid system are illuminated on the dashboard. A final check of the rear brake discs and pads for thickness, either by direct visual inspection through the wheels or via a garage-level measurement, will confirm whether the work carried out between the August 2025 failure and the subsequent pass has resulted in renewed or refurbished components, or whether further attention may be required in the near term.