2006 Ford Focus 2.5L Petrol · ST05 JAB

The most recent MOT test on 8 June 2026 returned a Pass with no advisories or defects recorded, which is a positive immediate indicator. However, this pass followed a failure just four days earlier on 4 June 2026 for a major defect concerning the offside front inner drive shaft constant velocity joint boot, which was recorded as split or insecure to the point that it could not prevent the ingress of dirt. The fact that the vehicle was repaired and re-presented so quickly suggests the failure was addressed promptly, but the presence of repeated CV boot deterioration entries across several tests does indicate a recurring vulnerability on this chassis. Looking at the history overall, there is a clear pattern of minor advisories accumulating between 2021 and 2025, with the 2025 test in particular flagging multiple suspension bush wear items and a thinning front brake pad, before the vehicle appears to have been brought up to a clean standard in 2026. The trend therefore appears to be improving at present, though it rests on the back of one relatively recent major repair and a history of niggling advisories. With a recorded odometer reading of 74,406 miles across approximately 20 years of service, this Ford Focus has covered an annual average of just 3,720 miles, which is substantially below typical usage for a vehicle of this age. This low mileage is a double-edged sword; on one hand, wear on major mechanical components such as the engine internals, gearbox, clutch, and high-mileage drivetrain parts will be comparatively light, but on the other hand, prolonged periods of standing or only short trips can accelerate degradation of certain items. Notably, the 2021 MOT flagged both rear brake calipers as binding slightly but not excessively, which is a classic symptom of infrequent use allowing corrosion to build on caliper slides and pistons. Standing-related issues of this kind can worsen over time even when overall mileage remains low, so the buyer should be aware that the true mechanical condition cannot be judged on odometer reading alone. Given the recurring CV boot deterioration on both front inner drive shaft joints, this is the single most important area to inspect and test. A split CV boot allows grease to escape and moisture and dirt to enter the joint, and over time this destroys the constant velocity joint itself, leading to vibration through the steering under load, a clicking or knocking noise on full lock turns, and ultimately joint failure. The buyer should jack the car and visually inspect both front inner and outer CV boots for splits, perished rubber, or evidence of grease fling around the surrounding suspension and brake components. On a test drive, listen for any rhythmic clicking from the front wheels when turning at low speed, and feel for any shudder or vibration through the steering wheel during acceleration. Any sign of fresh grease around the boots or transmission housing would warrant urgent rectification. Beyond the CV joints, the rear suspension trailing arm bushes flagged as worn in 2025 are well-known weak points on this generation of Ford Focus and deserve close attention. These bushes should be inspected for cracking, separation from the metal carrier, and excessive play when the wheel is rocked vertically by hand, and on the road one should listen for clonking or knocking from the rear over bumps and uneven surfaces. The nearside front brake pads were noted at 3mm in 2025, which is close to the wear limit, so the buyer should verify their current thickness and inspect the discs for lipping, scoring, or corrosion jacking. More broadly, given the low annual mileage, the prospective purchaser should also check for tyre sidewall perishing and cracking from age even if tread depth remains adequate, confirm the 12V battery holds charge under load as batteries degrade with calendar age rather than mileage, and verify the service history for time-based replacement of brake fluid, coolant, and the timing belt, as these items degrade regardless of how few miles have been covered.