2012 Ford Focus MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 61.7% of Ford Focus cars first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 202,677 Focus first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Focus cars first used in 2012 (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
How the 2012 Ford Focus MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Focus cars first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Focus figure was 1.8 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 Focus | All cars first used 2012 | Focus first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 66.6% | 68.8% | 73,411 |
| 2022 | 65.6% | 67.4% | 72,080 |
| 2023 | 63.6% | 65.6% | 70,613 |
| 2024 | 63.3% | 64.3% | 67,867 |
| 2025 | 61.7% | 63.5% | 64,197 |
Common 2012 Ford Focus MOT failures
Share of the 75,201 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 16.7% | 12,541 |
| Position lamp: not working | 12.2% | 9,209 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 10.2% | 7,691 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 9.3% | 7,016 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 7.2% | 5,393 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Focus in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2012 Ford Focus before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2012 Ford Focus MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 Focus cars, as a share of all 202,677 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 20.4% | 41,294 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 13.2% | 26,838 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.2% | 20,644 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.9% | 20,104 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 7.5% | 15,100 |
Questions about the 2012 Ford Focus MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Ford Focus?
In 2025, 61.7% of Focus cars first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 Focus most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 48.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (37.5%) and tyres (21.1%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (16.7%).
How often does a 2012 Ford Focus fail its MOT?
In 2025, 38.3% of first tests on Focus cars first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 30.2% failed, and a further 8.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 75,201 of 202,677 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Ford Focus MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 20.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (13.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.9%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (7.5%).
Is a 2012 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 66.6% in 2021 to 61.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2012 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 Focus?
The numbers above cover every Focus first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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