2008 Ford Focus 1.6L Petrol · WP08 MRX

The 2022 test at 147,197 miles resulted in a failure driven by structural corrosion to the nearside rear suspension mounting area on the outer sill, a defect that significantly reduces structural strength. Both front lower suspension arm pins and bushes were recorded as excessively worn, while both rear coil springs showed corrosion and both rear tyres sat at the legal limit. This represents a sharp deterioration from the 2021 pass where the same suspension bushes were only worn but not excessive, and the coil springs were already corroded. No MOT has been recorded since July 2022, leaving a four-year gap in official roadworthiness verification. Mileage has accumulated steadily at roughly 8,200 miles per year, reaching 137,764 miles in June 2021 and 147,197 miles by the final test. The consistent annual rate suggests regular use rather than long-term storage, although the absence of any test after July 2022 means the current mileage is unknown and the condition unchecked for over four years. A buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the nearside rear sill and suspension mounting point for perforation or advanced rot, as the 2022 failure cites a structural integrity risk. The front lower suspension arms and bushes require close examination for excessive play, given their progression from advisory to failure status. Rear coil springs have been flagged as corroded since 2019 and should be checked for fracture. The rear flexible brake pipes have shown perishing rubber sheaths since 2020, and the exhaust system has carried mounting corrosion and a detached flexible joint since 2019. Tyre maintenance has been repeatedly neglected, with tread depth failures appearing in 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. The history reveals a pattern of deferred maintenance on safety-critical items — suspension, brakes, structure and tyres — that has now culminated in a structural failure. Without a current MOT, the vehicle cannot be legally driven on the road, and the cost to rectify the 2022 failure items alone will be substantial. Any purchase decision should hinge on a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection focusing on the identified corrosion and wear points.