2006 Ford Focus 2.5L Petrol · RA06 SRX

The Focus holds a clean pass from the most recent test on 25 June 2026 at 143,652 miles with no defects recorded, matching the clean result from June 2025 at 138,681 miles. This recent stability marks a clear improvement over the 2023 and 2024 tests where the tester failed the car for front tyres worn down to the cords on inner edges, corroded front coil springs on both sides, heavily corroded rear brake disc back plates and misaligned headlamps. The 2024 failure at 133,497 miles required two new front tyres and a washer bottle repair to pass four days later, while the 2023 failure at 127,578 miles exposed a pattern of neglected suspension and brake hardware that has since been addressed. Annual mileage has settled around 5,000 miles over the last three years, consistent with the long-term average of roughly 7,200 miles per year since new. The record shows no unexplained gaps or sudden spikes; the progression from 121,160 miles in June 2022 to the current 143,652 miles reflects steady, moderate use. Earlier years followed a similar rhythm, with the car covering approximately 8,000 to 9,000 miles annually between 2016 and 2021 before dropping to the current lower rate. Recurring advisories point to persistent wear items that a buyer must inspect closely. Front suspension arm bushes have appeared worn or deteriorated in tests from 2016 through 2020, and rear trailing arm bushes were flagged as perished in 2022. Front coil springs showed corrosion in 2023, and rear brake disc back plates were heavily corroded the same year. Front brake discs were noted as worn and pitted as far back as 2017. Tyre wear has been a consistent weak point: all four tyres were near the legal limit in 2021, both fronts exposed cords in 2023 and again in 2024, and rear tyres showed cords in 2016. The nearside front CV gaiter failed in 2017 and was advisory in 2016, suggesting the driveshaft joints may have seen grit ingress. A pre-purchase inspection should prioritise the front suspension geometry and bush condition given the history of inner-edge tyre wear and repeated bush advisories. Verify that the front coil springs and rear brake disc back plates have been replaced rather than simply cleaned. Check the rear trailing arm bushes for the perishing noted in 2022. Confirm the nearside front CV joint runs quietly on full lock, and test the washer system for the leak recorded in 2024. The recent clean tickets are encouraging, but the underlying chassis and running gear carry a legacy of deferred maintenance that warrants thorough physical verification.