2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 Ford Focus MOT pass rate and common faults

46,547 MOT tests in 2024. 83.4% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time83.4%
Failed or needed repairs16.6%
Typical mileage at test43,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 46,547 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
    1,369 marked dangerous
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
    1,453 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
    946 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  5. Side repeaters: not working0.6%
  6. Headlamp aim: too low0.6%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.6%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
    264 marked dangerous
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.4%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
    322 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.0%
  2. Lights & electrics6.4%
  3. Brakes3.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks2.2%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.0%
  6. Suspension0.8%
  7. Body & chassis0.4%
  8. Steering0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.1%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick11.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.9%
  5. Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2017 FocusAll Focus years2019 Focus →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Ford Focus?

In 2024, 83.4% of 2018 Ford Focus cars passed their MOT first time, across 46,547 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 Ford Focus?

The most common failure reasons were brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 Ford Focus reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).