2007 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · NG07 NGU

Chronic front suspension wear is the defining mechanical theme of this 2007 Ford Focus, with the same components flagged at every test from 2019 onwards. Both nearside and offside front lower suspension arm rear bushes were noted as worn but not failing in 2019, 2020, and 2021, before deteriorating into Major defects on both sides at the November 2022 retest, which the vehicle failed. It then passed a re-test on the same day after presumably being repaired, but rear suspension corrosion was already being recorded as an advisory in 2022 and 2023. By the November 2024 test this had progressed to general corrosion across all suspension components, and the most recent pass on 10 November 2025 again noted surface corrosion to all suspension components alongside continuing stone chips and a deteriorated registration plate. The trajectory across the recorded tests is one of slowly worsening structural and bushing condition rather than a clean or improving record. Against a nineteen year vehicle age, the recorded 58,666 miles equates to an annual average of roughly 3,088 miles, which is notably low. Annual MOT entries appear at intervals close to twelve months apart with no obvious multi-year lay-up, suggesting the car has been in regular but light use rather than being garaged for extended periods. The mileage recorded between tests is consistent with short, infrequent journeys rather than long motorway work, which mechanically means consumables such as brake discs, pads and tyres may have aged through environmental exposure and light corrosion rather than wearing through friction, while low-load running can allow oil seals and rubber boots to deteriorate from underuse as much as high mileage would wear them out. The visible consequence of this usage profile is reflected directly in the advisories: corrosion-based rather than wear-based concerns dominate the record. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas on any inspection are the front suspension linkages and the rear and general underbody corrosion that has been creeping up the advisories year on year. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, as worn lower arm rear bushes typically produce a dull rattle or knock that worsens on full steering lock or over broken tarmac; any looseness or delay in steering return would suggest the bushes have now moved beyond the advisory stage seen previously. Have the vehicle raised on a ramp if the seller permits, and check the rear suspension arms, subframe mounts and any brake pipes or fuel lines for flaking or through-section corrosion, given the progression from rear suspension rust in 2022 to surface corrosion across all components by 2025. Pay particular attention to the front lower arms themselves, because even though they were presumably replaced at the 2022 failure, the surrounding components and any subsequent repairs should be verified for play with a pry bar rather than just a visual check. Beyond the suspension, the remaining advisories are largely cosmetic but worth noting before purchase. The windscreen stone chips noted in 2024 and 2025 should be inspected to ensure none have progressed to cracks within the driver's sweep area, and the registration plate deterioration should be confirmed as still legible. The 2025 test also recorded a non-functioning nearside registration plate lamp, which is a cheap and simple fix but will need addressing before the next test. Finally, although no brake, exhaust or emissions failures appear in the recorded history, a buyer should still check for binding calipers, uneven brake pad wear, and any exhaust blowing or corrosion at the mounting rubbers, as the cumulative mileage and age of the vehicle place these items firmly into the realm of expected attention regardless of what the MOT file shows.