2012 Ford Focus 1.6L Diesel · OU61 FFR

The most recent DVSA examination on 11 February 2026 resulted in a Pass, although two advisories were recorded relating to the rear brake discs being worn, pitted or scored and the nearside rear tyre being worn close to the legal limit on its edge. While a pass is clearly positive, the underlying maintenance pattern across the last three years is a genuine cause for concern. Three separate tests since January 2023 have failed, each time on dangerous tyre tread depth issues, alongside persistent advisories for suspension wear and recurring major defects on both front constant velocity drive shaft boots. The presence of dangerous failures in 2024 and 2025 suggests that routine tyre maintenance and underfloor checks have been reactive rather than proactive, and the steady recurrence of CV boot splits and suspension component wear indicates that the vehicle is being used hard and that consumable items are being left to deteriorate to failure point rather than replaced at sensible intervals. With 214,150 miles accumulated over fourteen years, this Focus has covered an average of around 15,300 miles annually, which is firmly in the high-mileage bracket for a car of its vintage. There are no obvious plateaus in the recorded mileage, implying the vehicle has been in regular daily use rather than left standing for extended periods. While continuous running is generally beneficial for keeping seals, dampers and drivetrain components lubricated and free from seizing, this level of annual mileage places significant cumulative stress on the clutch, dual-mass flywheel if fitted, engine internals, turbocharger if present, and front suspension components. The brake discs, tyres, CV joints and suspension bushes are all wear items that scale directly with mileage, and the MOT history clearly demonstrates accelerated consumption in each of those areas, suggesting the vehicle is being driven enthusiastically or over demanding road surfaces. Given the recurring advisories on the rear lower suspension arm front bushes across the 2024 and 2025 tests, this is an area that warrants close attention. These bushes should be inspected for any cracking, perishing, or lateral movement when the wheels are unloaded, and on a test drive any knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed over speed humps or potholes, would indicate the bushes have finally failed and require replacement. The front lower suspension arm ball joint and anti-roll bar linkage were also flagged in 2024 as excessively worn, so a thorough inspection of all front suspension links, drop links, and strut top mountings is strongly advised, along with a check for uneven inner or outer tyre wear which would suggest geometry misalignment from worn components. The CV boot splits on both sides in 2023 and again in 2025 indicate that the gaiters are deteriorating with age and exposure, and any fresh grease deposits around the inner or outer CV joints on inspection, or a clicking or knocking noise from the front under load when turning sharply, would confirm that new joints or full driveshafts are imminent. The advisories on the rear brake discs being pitted and scored also suggest that the discs may be approaching their wear limit and may need machining or replacement at the next service, particularly if there is any brake shudder, vibration through the pedal, or pulling under braking. Finally, the tyre-related advisories and dangerous failures across multiple tests are a significant red flag regarding upkeep. All four tyres should be checked for age-related sidewall cracking and perishing, not just tread depth, as a fourteen-year-old vehicle will commonly exhibit rubber degradation even on tyres with adequate tread. The front brake calipers, handbrake mechanism, and rear brake shoes should be examined for binding or seized operation, particularly given the pitted rear discs, and a check of the engine oil leak noted in 2025 is sensible to ensure it has not worsened into a significant oil consumption issue. The 12V battery is also due for replacement consideration at this age, and verification of recent cambelt and water pump replacement history, alongside confirmation of recent coolant, brake fluid and transmission fluid changes, would be prudent. Any service book gaps or missing stamps should be treated as an indicator that intervals may have been neglected, and given the clear pattern of reactive rather than preventative maintenance evident in the MOT record, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a competent independent garage would be strongly recommended before committing to purchase.