2010 Ford Focus — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 374,356 MOT tests, the 2010 Ford Focus recorded a 75.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (24.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests against 13.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 39,593 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.2% in the 0-30k band and 29.2% in the 150k+ band, a 16.0-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 23.2% fail against 27.0% for diesel, a 3.8-point gap across 374,355 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 69,524 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 48,759 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.8% | 25,374 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 17,810 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.1% | 15,489 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 11,266 |
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 | 39,593 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 26,202 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 20,895 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 18,698 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 14,425 |
| 6 | Washers | 12,761 |
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 | 32.6% | 121,948 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.0% | 115,954 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.1% | 67,835 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 45,437 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.0% | 41,104 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 36,767 |
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 | 7,146 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 43,037 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 109,472 | 22.5% |
| 90-120k | 118,617 | 26.4% |
| 120-150k | 64,674 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 30,272 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 253,381 | 23.2% |
| Diesel | 120,974 | 27.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82,193 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 79,858 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 76,482 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 71,283 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 64,540 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Focus
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.0% 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.
- Tyres (6.8% 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 2010 Ford Focuss pass their MOT?
75.6% of the 374,356 2010 Ford Focus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Ford Focus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.0%).
Does the 2010 Focus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 374,356 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.