2018 Ford Focus 1.5L Diesel · SA18 HCF

A clear pattern emerges across the MOT history of this 2018 Ford Focus centred on front axle consumables and tyre condition rather than structural or powertrain integrity, with the latest recorded activity on 2026-06-02 producing both a Pass and a Fail on the same day. The failure items are isolated and surface-level, consisting of both front wiper blades failing to clear the screen effectively and a nearside front tyre suffering a sidewall cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords, neither of which suggests a deeper mechanical deterioration. The advisory trail from 2021 onwards, however, is consistent and repetitive: nearside and offside front tyres have been flagged as worn close to the legal limit on no fewer than three separate occasions (2021-03-19, 2021-11-02 and 2024-06-05), with an additional advisory in 2025 for cracking on the offside front tyre. A nearside front wheel was noted as slightly distorted in 2022, and the front brake discs were flagged for light corrosion and pitting in 2023. The 2025 test also recorded an oil leak described as not excessive and a deteriorated front number plate. Taken together, the record points to a vehicle that remains roadworthy but shows chronic attention required to its front tyres, with secondary wear on the front brake discs and a minor oil seepage that warrants monitoring. Mileage of 117,098 across an eight-year span equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 14,637 miles, which is markedly above the typical usage rate for a Focus of this vintage and places the car firmly in high-mileage territory. The MOT testing cadence is broadly annual, with tests clustered in June of most years from 2022 to 2026, but a notable gap exists between 2021-11-02 and 2022-06-06, indicating two tests within the same calendar year, and a further test in 2021-03-19 preceded by no earlier recorded entry in this dataset. There is no evidence of a multi-year lay-up that would raise concerns about seized brakes, perished rubber or a discharged battery. The continuous and regular testing pattern, combined with the steady mileage accumulation, suggests the vehicle has remained in active service, and the wear pattern observed in the advisories is consistent with a car covering substantial distance rather than one that has deteriorated through disuse. For a prospective buyer, the priority items for a physical inspection are the front tyres and wheels, given the repeated advisories and the most recent sidewall cut failure. On a test drive, listen for any steering pull to the left, which could indicate the distorted nearside front wheel previously flagged in 2022 has worsened or is causing uneven tracking, and feel for vibration through the steering wheel or brake pedal that could suggest the front discs require machining or replacement following the corrosion noted in 2023. Inspect the nearside front tyre sidewall closely for any bulges, cracking or cord exposure, and check all four tyres for age-related perishing, particularly the offside front which has a history of cracking. With 117,098 miles recorded, the brake pads and discs will have seen substantial use, so a warm pedal feel or any grinding on a gentle stop should be treated as a likely imminent replacement. The oil leak flagged in 2025 as not excessive should be investigated for its source, as even minor leaks from the valve cover gasket, sump or oil filter housing on a high-mileage Focus can progress and contaminate timing belt components or the clutch on manual variants. On start-up from cold, listen for any timing chain rattle from the upper engine area, which is a known concern on higher-mileage EcoBoost engines fitted to the Focus of this generation. Check the underside for any fresh oil residue or drips on the subframe and gearbox housing. Finally, examine the windscreen wiper pattern for smearing or streaking across the swept area, and verify that both wiper arms are tensioned correctly, as the recent failure item suggests either aged blades or arms that have lost contact pressure, both of which are straightforward to remedy but worth confirming before purchase.