2004 Ford Focus C-MAX 1.8L Petrol · NM04 ASU

The vehicle is currently not road‑worthy; the most recent MOT on 18 July 2022 at 119,508 mi recorded a failure for a range of safety‑critical items, including inoperative nearside rear parking brake, fractured off‑side rear coil spring, severe corrosion of both lower rear suspension arms, and multiple lighting faults. The pattern of defects has shifted from isolated, minor advisories in earlier years to several serious failures, indicating a worsening maintenance trend. Across a 22‑year lifespan the car has accumulated 119,508 mi, averaging roughly 5,400 mi per year – well below the typical usage for a vehicle of this age. Mileage rose steadily from 50,727 mi in May 2011 to 73,341 mi in June 2017, then to 86,214 mi in May 2018 and 119,508 mi in July 2022, with no prolonged gaps that would suggest long periods of inactivity. The gradual increase aligns with the recorded service intervals, implying consistent, albeit low‑intensity, use. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the rear suspension and braking systems. The repeated corrosion of the lower rear arms (noted on 18 July 2022) and the broken off‑side rear coil spring (same test) point to structural weakening that may require component replacement and rust remediation. The 24 July 2020 failure of a rear shock absorber with fluid leakage, together with imbalanced rear brakes and a parking‑brake efficiency below 50 %, suggest that the brake and hydraulic circuits should be inspected for wear, fluid condition, and proper adjustment. The persistent SRS warning lamp fault (recorded in both 2020 and 2022) warrants a diagnostic scan to confirm airbag system integrity. Lighting defects – fractured headlamp lenses and inoperative registration plate lamps – must be rectified before the next test. Before committing, arrange a thorough visual and functional check of the suspension bushings, coil springs, brake pads and discs, parking‑brake operation, and the supplementary restraint system. Confirm that all corrosion is addressed and that the vehicle can pass a re‑MOT once the identified failures are remedied.