2018 Ford Focus 1.0L Petrol · WM68 EZX

This 2018 Ford Focus presents a consistently clean MOT record across five consecutive annual tests, with no failures recorded and only two advisory notices appearing in the entire history. The most recent examination on 22 December 2025 returned a straightforward pass with no defects recorded, matching the clean outcomes of the 2024 and 2021 tests. The two advisories that were issued both fall into the routine consumable wear category: an offside rear tyre worn on the edge in December 2023, and front brake pads noted as wearing thin in December 2022. Neither of these progressed to a failure, and neither recurred in subsequent tests, indicating that the wear items flagged were addressed at the time. The overall trajectory across the recorded period is one of stable roadworthiness with minor, isolated component observations. With 66,003 miles accumulated over eight years, this Focus has averaged approximately 8,250 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the typical range for a car of this age and segment. The mileage progression across the MOT entries shows a steady, incremental increase year on year with no gaps in testing and no sudden jumps that would suggest inconsistent use or odometer irregularities. This kind of consistent, moderate usage pattern tends to be mechanically sympathetic to components such as the clutch, turbocharger seals, and suspension bushes, all of which benefit from regular exercise rather than prolonged standing. The absence of extended gaps between tests also means corrosion-related advisories or stale fluid deterioration issues have not had the opportunity to develop unnoticed. For a prospective buyer, the test drive should pay particular attention to the components that have previously drawn advisories, beginning with the front braking system. Although the thin pad advisory in late 2022 did not recur in 2024 or 2025, pads fitted at that time will have covered substantial mileage since, so listen for any binding or scraping from the front calipers on a cold start, check for a pulling sensation under moderate pedal pressure, and inspect the discs for a pronounced lip on the outer edge. The offside rear tyre wear noted in 2023 was described as edge wear, which on a Focus is often linked to rear suspension geometry or alignment settings rather than simply tyre age. On the road, feel for any rear-end instability under cornering, listen for knocking from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, and check for uneven shoulder wear on any tyres currently fitted. More broadly, this generation of Focus is known for susceptibility to water pump and thermostat housing failures, rear trailing arm bush wear, and minor oil seepage from the cam cover gasket, none of which form part of the MOT test scope but all of which are worth a physical inspection. During a cold start, listen for any coolant-related ticking from the engine bay and check the coolant level and condition. Examine the rear trailing arm bushes for cracking or perishing, and feel for any vagueness or delay in the steering response at low speeds, which can indicate worn rear bushes allowing toe change under load. A raised ramp inspection to check for any fresh oil residue around the cam cover and sump area would be prudent. Given the mileage and age, the timing belt or chain service interval status, clutch bite point behaviour, and the state of the dual-clutch automatic transmission mechatronics if applicable should also be verified through documented service records rather than inferred from the MOT history alone.