2006 Ford Focus — MOT failures & pass rate
275,777 MOT tests on the 2006 Ford Focus are in this dataset, and 73.5% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 27.4%, so the 2006 Focus sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.8%) and suspension (14.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and position lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 19,312 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.2% versus 18.3%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.3pp more often than petrol ones (29.2% vs 25.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 46,209 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 40,670 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.0% | 19,449 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 17,260 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 15,508 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 14,154 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 19,312 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 16,398 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 13,363 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 12,525 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 12,301 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 12,107 |
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 | 41.4% | 114,131 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.5% | 86,989 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.4% | 61,838 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 41,843 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.3% | 39,401 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 39,175 |
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 | 2,744 | 18.3% |
| 30-60k | 20,292 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 66,494 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 96,941 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 60,163 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 27,781 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 227,686 | 25.9% |
| Diesel | 48,084 | 29.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79,019 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 65,461 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 54,229 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 43,292 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 33,776 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Focus
On a 2006 Focus, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (14.8% 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.
- Tyres (7.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2006 Ford Focuss pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 275,777 2006 Ford Focus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Ford Focus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2006 Focus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 275,777 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.