2004 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · NT04 XOW

The 2004 Ford Focus presents a remarkably clean roadworthiness record. The most recent MOT, conducted on 22 October 2025 at 113,490 miles, passed with zero defects. This outcome is not an isolated event. Looking back through the history, every single annual test from October 2021 through October 2025 has passed with no advisories or failures whatsoever. The maintenance trend is exceptionally stable, indicating a vehicle that has been consistently kept in sound mechanical order with no emerging or recurring faults flagged by successive testers. The mileage pattern tells a story of very light use. Over the five-year period from October 2021 at 105,679 miles to October 2025 at 113,490 miles, the car covered just 7,811 miles, averaging roughly 1,562 miles per year. Across its full twenty-two-year life, the 113,490 recorded miles equate to approximately 5,159 miles annually, well below the typical UK average. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the odometer readings. The accumulation is smooth and gradual, suggesting regular but light use rather than long periods of standing or abrasive high-mileage driving. Despite the clean MOT record, a buyer should still carry out a thorough physical inspection. Low-mileage vehicles that sit unused for extended periods can develop issues that MOT tests do not always capture, such as perished rubber brake hoses, seized handbrake mechanisms, or degraded tyre sidewalls from age rather than wear. The Focus is now over two decades old, so structural corrosion around the sills, subframes, and suspension mounting points warrants close scrutiny even if no rust has yet been flagged. Suspension bushes, coil springs, and shock absorbers should be inspected for deterioration, as these degrade with age independently of mileage. The braking system deserves particular attention. With no defects recorded across five consecutive tests, the discs, pads, and calipers appear to be in good order, but a binding caliper or uneven pad wear can develop between tests on a car driven so infrequently. A road test is essential to confirm the gearbox, clutch, and engine respond cleanly under load. The clean MOT history is a strong positive indicator, but it should complement, not replace, an independent inspection by a qualified mechanic before purchase.