2005 Ford Focus — MOT failures & pass rate
220,908 MOT tests on the 2005 Ford Focus are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (27.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.8%) and suspension (16.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 13,446 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.3% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.2% fail against 31.1% for diesel, a 2.9-point gap across 220,908 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 37,100 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.5% | 36,543 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.1% | 17,969 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.1% | 15,803 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 12,410 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 11,867 |
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 | 13,446 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 11,936 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 11,794 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 10,412 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 10,002 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 10,000 |
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 | 43.0% | 94,990 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.1% | 70,865 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.1% | 53,295 |
| 4 | Other defects | 16.6% | 36,694 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 34,244 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 32,411 |
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 | 2,270 | 18.7% |
| 30-60k | 16,360 | 20.1% |
| 60-90k | 52,653 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 76,181 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 49,715 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 22,650 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 188,402 | 28.2% |
| Diesel | 32,506 | 31.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68,279 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 53,690 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 42,306 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 32,438 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 24,195 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Focus
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.5% 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 (8.1% 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 2005 Ford Focuss pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 220,908 2005 Ford Focus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Ford Focus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by suspension (16.5%).
Does the 2005 Focus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.7% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 220,908 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.