2004 Ford Focus — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Ford Focus passed 70.0% of its 160,936 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.9 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.3%) and suspension (17.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, stop lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 10,569 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.1% in the 0-30k band and 34.5% in the 150k+ band, a 15.4-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.9pp more often than petrol ones (32.5% vs 29.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 43.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 29,453 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.2% | 27,616 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 15,031 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.7% | 10,707 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 10,382 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 9,881 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 10,569 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 9,439 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 8,726 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 7,400 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 7,302 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 7,151 |
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 | 43.4% | 69,838 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.7% | 54,253 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.8% | 49,600 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.4% | 28,044 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 27,117 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 22,758 |
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 | 2,190 | 19.1% |
| 30-60k | 14,310 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 39,008 | 26.9% |
| 90-120k | 51,950 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 34,930 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 18,136 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 136,512 | 29.5% |
| Diesel | 24,420 | 32.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 50,249 | 30.4% |
| 2022 | 39,103 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 30,568 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 23,506 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 17,510 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Focus
On a 2004 Focus, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.2% 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.
- Brakes (9.3% 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 2004 Ford Focuss pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 160,936 2004 Ford Focus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Ford Focus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (17.2%).
Does the 2004 Focus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 160,936 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.