2012 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · SH61 WKT

The 2012 Ford Focus passed its most recent MOT on 30 October 2025 at 34,038 miles, but the record shows a maintenance trend that is borderline rather than reassuring. The same test produced both a fail and a pass on the identical date at the identical mileage, indicating the car failed first for a smeared windscreen wiper and was retested after a simple fix. That is minor. More concerning is the pattern underneath: corrosion advisories on both front and rear suspension components, worn suspension bushes, a corroded exhaust system, and a persistent oil leak have all been flagged repeatedly across multiple tests without evidence of permanent repair. The vehicle is roadworthy today, but the tester has consistently noted the same underlying deterioration rather than fresh, resolved fixes. At roughly 2,431 miles per year over fourteen years, this is a low-mileage car by any standard. The annual increments are steady and unremarkable, rising from 31,669 miles in November 2023 to 32,957 miles in October 2024, then to 34,038 miles by October 2025. There are no alarming mileage gaps or sudden spikes to suggest the car has been clocked or left standing for years. Low annual use, however, does not protect a car from age-related decay. Rubber bushes, exhaust systems, and structural steel deteriorate with time and moisture exposure as much as with mileage, and the MOT record confirms exactly that pattern on this vehicle. A buyer should inspect the underside in person, focusing on the suspension mounting points, subframe, and rear axle area where corrosion has been flagged in both October 2024 and October 2025. Surface rust on suspension arms can be cosmetic, but the tester noted corrosion on both front and rear assemblies in the most recent test, which warrants a close check for structural pitting or weakened mounting points. The oil leak advisory has also persisted since the October 2025 test. Its source needs identification, whether that is a degraded rocker cover gasket, a weeping sump seal, or a more costly issue such as a failing crankshaft oil seal. The exhaust system was flagged as corroded in the same test, so a thorough check of the full system, particularly the rear silencer and any flexi-joint, is essential before purchase. Tyre condition has been a recurring failure point. In October 2024 both rear tyres were failed for cuts deep enough to expose ply or cords, and in November 2023 both rear tyres were flagged for cracking and perishing. This suggests the car may have been parked on uneven surfaces or left stationary for extended periods, causing flat-spotting and sidewall degradation. Any replacement tyres now fitted should be checked for age codes, not just tread depth. The nearside headlamp lens has been noted as slightly defective in three consecutive tests, a minor but persistent defect that may scatter light output. Combined with the worn nearside front inner suspension arm rear bush, which has appeared in three successive tests, the front end deserves a proper suspension and geometry check on a four-post ramp before committing to the purchase.