2014 Ford Focus 2.0L Petrol · PO64 VGX

The most recent MOT, conducted on 20 August 2025 at 64,400 miles, returned a pass, though the tester flagged a slightly defective nearside headlamp lens and a deteriorated offside lens with reduced light output, alongside a note that the rear sub-frame is corroded but not seriously weakened. Taken in isolation, the vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend over the preceding two years is mixed rather than clearly improving. The 2024 test cycle exposed a cluster of suspension defects and a fractured nearside rear anti-roll bar linkage, yet the 2025 record shows no repeat of those specific items. That could indicate repairs were carried out, or it could mean the faults were marginal enough to escape a fail this time. Without invoices, a buyer cannot assume the underlying wear has been resolved. The mileage pattern is unusually low for a 2014 model. Between the August 2023 test at 55,245 miles and the August 2024 test at 60,146 miles, the car covered 4,901 miles in twelve months. By the August 2025 test at 64,400 miles, it had added just 4,254 miles over another year. Annual averages sit around 4,500 to 5,000 miles, well below the typical UK figure of roughly 8,000. Such low use can preserve consumables like brake pads and tyres, but it also raises the question of long periods standing, which can cause seized components, flat-spotted tyres, and moisture-related corrosion in hidden areas such as brake lines and sub-frames. The MOT history repeatedly highlights front and rear suspension wear. Between the failed and passed tests on 26 and 28 August 2024 at 60,146 miles, advisories covered worn Macpherson strut pins or bushes on both front corners, worn lower suspension arm bushes front and rear, and a fractured nearside rear anti-roll bar linkage. The 2023 test at 55,245 miles also noted corroded rear coil springs at their lower sections and a slightly loose front brake caliper rattle spring. A prospective buyer should have the front struts, lower arms, and anti-roll bar links physically inspected for play, and the rear coil springs examined closely for section loss rather than surface rust alone. Sub-frame corrosion noted in 2025 warrants a thorough underside check with a torch and probe to confirm structural integrity. Brake and tyre condition also deserve attention. The 2023 failure identified a nearside rear tyre below the 1.6mm legal minimum and an offside rear tyre worn on the edge with cracking or perishing, suggesting the car had been running on degraded rubber. The 2024 pass recorded a slightly distorted nearside front wheel, which can cause vibration and uneven tyre wear. A buyer should verify the date codes and condition of all four tyres plus the spare, spin each wheel to check for rim distortion, and test the handbrake and footbrake for binding or uneven effort, given the earlier caliper spring advisory. An underbonnet inspection for the minor oil leak flagged in 2023 is also wise, as even small leaks can worsen if left unattended.