2004 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · NG04 GSY

A pattern of progressive front suspension wear and several borderline brake condition issues dominate the mechanical history of this 2004 Ford Focus, with the most recent test on 11 October 2021 recording a pass but flagging four advisories relating to oil leakage, nearside front brake pad wear, nearside rear wheel bearing play, and a defective front exhaust mounting. Two majors and a dangerous defect were identified just five days earlier on 6 October 2021, when both front suspension arm ball joint dust covers and the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage dust cover were found to no longer prevent ingress of dirt, allowing direct contamination of the joints. This was not an isolated event; the 2020 test cycle produced a failure listing dangerous front brake pads below 1.5 mm thickness, a fractured nearside rear anti-roll bar linkage bracket, and excessive play at both track rod end ball joints, alongside an advisory for a worn offside rear suspension arm pin or bush. The 2017 test also recorded slight play in both nearside and offside suspension arm ball joints, indicating that the suspension articulation components have been a recurring source of wear across at least four test cycles. Six tests are recorded between 2016 and 2021, with two failures, making the recent roadworthiness record less than straightforward despite the absence of outright prohibitions. Against an age of roughly 22 years, the recorded mileage of 98,145 miles equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 4,461 miles, which is markedly low for the vehicle's age and points to extended periods of either light use or inactivity. Such low annual mileage typically means that wear-related items such as brake discs, tyres, and certain suspension components may have aged through environmental exposure rather than mechanical use, with corrosion of exposed metallic surfaces being a particular consideration on a car of this vintage. The MOT testing gaps are relatively even, with tests recorded annually from 2016 through 2021, suggesting the vehicle has remained in consistent use rather than being laid up for multiple consecutive years; nonetheless, the combination of low mileage and 22 years of service makes a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion essential, particularly given that slight corrosion was already noted on the offside outer sill in 2019. Given the documented history of ball joint play, anti-roll bar linkage fractures, and track rod end wear, particular attention should be paid during a test drive to any knocking or clonking from the front end when traversing speed bumps or potholes, as well as any looseness or vagueness through the steering wheel which would suggest renewed play in the track rod ends. The 2020 dangerous failure for brake pads below 1.5 mm and the 2021 advisory for thinning nearside front pads together indicate that the front braking system has required close attention, so the test drive should include several firm stops from moderate speed to check for any pedal judder, pulling to one side, or grinding noises that would suggest warped discs or binding calipers. The persistent oil leak advisory recorded in 2019 and 2021, together with the wheel bearing play advisory and defective exhaust mounting noted in the most recent test, should each be physically inspected, with the engine bay checked for fresh oil residue around the sump, cam cover, and front crankshaft seal, the rear wheel bearing area felt for any roughness or rumble, and the exhaust system rocked by hand to confirm all mounting rubbers are intact. A full underbody examination for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and subframe areas, is strongly advised given the vehicle's age and the structural items already flagged in previous tests.