2000 Ford Focus — MOT failures & pass rate
24,127 MOT tests on the 2000 Ford Focus are in this dataset, and 68.9% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2000 Focus comes out 3.4pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.0%) and lighting & signalling (17.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 2,269 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.0% in the 0-30k band and 37.0% in the 150k+ band, a 17.0-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.6pp more often than petrol ones (32.6% vs 31.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.0% | 4,340 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 4,167 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.0% | 2,906 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 1,815 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 1,549 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 1,471 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,269 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,470 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,426 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,420 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,145 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 1,086 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 45.8% | 11,044 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.6% | 9,320 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.0% | 7,007 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.0% | 4,824 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.7% | 4,507 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.6% | 4,239 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 330 | 20.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,410 | 21.7% |
| 60-90k | 6,209 | 28.5% |
| 90-120k | 7,222 | 32.2% |
| 120-150k | 4,959 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,985 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 23,030 | 31.0% |
| Diesel | 1,097 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,198 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 6,138 | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 4,399 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 3,092 | 30.6% |
| 2025 | 2,300 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Focus
On a 2000 Focus, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2000 Ford Focuss pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 24,127 2000 Ford Focus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Ford Focus?
Suspension, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.3%).
Does the 2000 Focus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 0-30k band to 37.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,127 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.