2004 Ford Focus MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 52.2% of Ford Focus cars first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 47,057 Focus first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Focus cars first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
52.2%
of 11,836 first tests; all cars first used in 2004: 57.8%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
47,057
first tests, 2023–2025; 11,836 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
15.7%
of 11,836 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
101,500
middle half: 77,000–127,000 miles; all cars first used in 2004: 103,500

How the 2004 Ford Focus MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Focus cars first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Focus figure was 5.6 points lower.

2004 FocusAll cars first used in 2004
50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2004, test year 2021: 53.9%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2022: 55.2%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2023: 56%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2024: 56.4%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2025: 57.8%2004 Focus, test year 2021: 50.2%2004 Focus, test year 2022: 50.6%2004 Focus, test year 2023: 52%2004 Focus, test year 2024: 51.9%2004 Focus, test year 2025: 52.2%57.8%52.2%
View this chart as a table
Test year2004 FocusAll cars first used 2004Focus first tests
202150.2%53.9%30,892
202250.6%55.2%24,547
202352.0%56.0%19,747
202451.9%56.4%15,474
202552.2%57.8%11,836

Common 2004 Ford Focus MOT failures

Share of the 22,566 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment50.0%
Suspension46.1%
Brakes24.7%
Body, chassis, structure17.9%
Tyres16.7%
Visibility16.4%
Steering16.1%
Noise, emissions and leaks13.2%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Stop lamp: not working14.8%3,336
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play11.3%2,543
Position lamp: not working10.3%2,332
Rear fog lamp: not working9.5%2,134
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength9.0%2,029

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2004 Ford Focus before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 2004 Ford Focus MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 Focus cars, as a share of all 47,057 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Coil spring: corroded19.7%9,258
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material19.5%9,198
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge18.5%8,702
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing13.0%6,101
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive12.9%6,055

Questions about the 2004 Ford Focus MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Ford Focus?

In 2025, 52.2% of Focus cars first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2004 Focus most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 50.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (46.1%) and brakes (24.7%). The single most common item was “Stop lamp: not working” (14.8%).

How often does a 2004 Ford Focus fail its MOT?

In 2025, 47.8% of first tests on Focus cars first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 38.3% failed, and a further 9.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 22,566 of 47,057 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2004 Ford Focus MOT advisories?

“Coil spring: corroded” (on 19.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (19.5%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (18.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (13.0%) and “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (12.9%).

Is a 2004 Ford Focus reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 50.2% in 2021 to 52.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2004

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics

How the 2004 Ford Focus MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2004 Focus” means a Ford Focus whose date of first use falls in 2004 (53, 04 and 54 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2004, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.