2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Ford Focus MOT pass rate and common faults

14,329 MOT tests in 2024. 52.0% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

92Below average
Passed first time52.0%
Failed or needed repairs48.0%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 14,329 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play5.6%
  2. Stop lamp: not working4.8%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.2%
  4. Rear fog lamp: not working3.7%
  5. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
    792 marked dangerous
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.4%
  8. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.1%
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.9%
  2. Suspension32.1%
  3. Brakes18.1%
  4. Body & chassis10.4%
  5. Tyres9.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.7%
  7. Steering8.7%
  8. Emissions & leaks8.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened19.5%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded19.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.0%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.1%

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: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. 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 2004 Ford Focus?

In 2024, 52.0% of 2004 Ford Focus cars passed their MOT first time, across 14,329 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Ford Focus?

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; stop lamp: not working; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Ford Focus reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 92, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).