2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Ford Focus MOT pass rate and common faults

51,897 MOT tests in 2024. 56.8% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time56.8%
Failed or needed repairs43.2%
Typical mileage at test103,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 51,897 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect7.8%
  2. Position lamp: not working7.0%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.3%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
    2,786 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.0%
    2,198 marked dangerous
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%
  8. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics35.6%
  2. Suspension23.2%
  3. Tyres10.6%
  4. Brakes9.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.5%
  6. Body & chassis6.6%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.9%
  8. Steering1.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.6%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn16.7%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.5%

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: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. 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 2009 Ford Focus?

In 2024, 56.8% of 2009 Ford Focus cars passed their MOT first time, across 51,897 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Ford Focus?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; position lamp: not working; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Ford Focus reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).