2001 · 23 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2001 Ford Focus MOT pass rate and common faults

5,038 MOT tests in 2024. 53.4% passed first time, compared with 59.4% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time53.4%
Failed or needed repairs46.6%
Typical mileage at test100,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,038 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength6.8%
  2. Stop lamp: not working4.1%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.9%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.7%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.5%
  6. Service brake imbalance: across an axle3.5%
  7. Rear fog lamp: not working3.2%
  8. Position lamp: not working3.0%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    227 marked dangerous
  10. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension30.9%
  2. Lights & electrics29.2%
  3. Brakes22.2%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.6%
  5. Body & chassis9.1%
  6. Tyres8.8%
  7. Emissions & leaks7.9%
  8. Steering4.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.4%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.6%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened19.1%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.8%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible13.8%

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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Ford Focus?

In 2024, 53.4% of 2001 Ford Focus cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,038 tests. The average for all 23-year-old cars was 59.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2001 Ford Focus?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; stop lamp: not working; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2001 Ford Focus reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).