2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Ford Focus MOT pass rate and common faults

43,634 MOT tests in 2024. 55.6% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

98Below average
Passed first time55.6%
Failed or needed repairs44.4%
Typical mileage at test106,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 43,634 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.7%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.6%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working4.1%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.6%
    2,519 marked dangerous
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.3%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.0%
    1,868 marked dangerous
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.9%
  9. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.2%
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.7%
  2. Suspension25.2%
  3. Brakes11.2%
  4. Tyres10.5%
  5. Body & chassis8.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks6.4%
  8. Steering2.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.4%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.9%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.8%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.9%

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: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. 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 2008 Ford Focus?

In 2024, 55.6% of 2008 Ford Focus cars passed their MOT first time, across 43,634 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Ford Focus?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Ford Focus reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).