1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Ford Focus MOT pass rate and common faults

1,277 MOT tests in 2024. 50.3% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

80Well below average
Passed first time50.3%
Failed or needed repairs49.7%
Typical mileage at test102,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,277 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength7.7%
  2. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases6.0%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.0%
  4. Stop lamp: not working4.7%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.5%
  6. Service brake imbalance: across an axle4.2%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.8%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.8%
  9. Position lamp: not working3.3%
  10. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension34.8%
  2. Lights & electrics34.8%
  3. Brakes26.3%
  4. Body & chassis14.9%
  5. Emissions & leaks13.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.3%
  7. Tyres9.1%
  8. Steering4.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded28.9%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened23.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.1%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened14.7%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Focus years2000 Focus →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Ford Focus?

In 2024, 50.3% of 1999 Ford Focus cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,277 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Ford Focus?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 1999 Ford Focus reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 80, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).