2017 Ford Focus 1.0L Petrol · SJ67 HGC

The 2017 Ford Focus presents a generally sound mechanical picture as of its most recent MOT on 29 April 2026 at 48,994 miles, where it passed with only a minor advisory for a front oil leak that was not deemed excessive. The maintenance trend over the past three years is broadly stable, though the record reveals a pattern of tyre-related failures that suggests previous owners may have deferred basic consumable upkeep. The vehicle has not been subjected to any serious structural or safety-critical rejections in recent history, which is a positive indicator of its overall condition. The mileage accumulation is notably low for a nine-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,444 miles per year. Between the January 2023 test at 28,365 miles and the January 2024 test at 34,758 miles, the car covered roughly 6,393 miles in twelve months, which is slightly above the long-term average. However, the jump from 34,758 miles in January 2024 to 43,250 miles by April 2025 represents approximately 8,492 miles in just over a year, indicating a period of heavier use. The most recent interval from April 2025 to April 2026 shows only 5,744 miles added, suggesting a return to lighter usage. The gap between the January 2024 and April 2025 tests is unusually long at roughly fifteen months, which may reflect a period of reduced use or a missed test window. The recurring theme across the MOT history is tyre condition. The April 2025 failure at 43,250 miles involved a structurally torn nearside rear tyre and a deep cut exposing cords on the offside front inner shoulder, forcing a brake test to be abandoned. The January 2024 test also flagged worn front tyre edges and a slightly damaged or perishing nearside rear tyre. This pattern of repeated tyre advisories and failures points to either deferred replacement or possible alignment and suspension issues causing uneven wear. A buyer should inspect all four tyres carefully for cracking, perishing, and uneven wear patterns, and check the condition of suspension bushes, coil springs, and tracking alignment. The front oil leak noted in April 2026, while minor, warrants investigation to determine whether it originates from a valve cover gasket, oil filter housing, or a more significant seal. Brake components should also be examined given the 2025 test was unable to complete a brake performance check due to the tyre condition, meaning braking efficiency has not been formally verified in over a year.