Ford Focus common faults, MOT red flags & buyer's guide
Mk3 (2011–2018) & Mk4 (2018–) · Hatchback / Estate
Great to drive, cheap to run — but same 1.0 EcoBoost warnings as the Fiesta.
Ford Focus common faults
Each fault below is drawn from real owner reports and UK garage patterns for this generation — not generic used-car advice.
1.0 EcoBoost wet timing belt
criticalSame wet-belt design as the Fiesta — the belt sheds into the oil pickup.
Check for: Ask for proof the belt has been changed. Check oil for debris.
Typical cost: £600–£900 belt; £3,000+ engine if it fails
Powershift dual-clutch (auto)
seriousSame issues as the Fiesta Powershift.
Check for: Shudder on take-off from cold.
Typical cost: £1,200–£1,800 clutch pack
Rear suspension bushes
moderateThe multi-link rear develops knocks around 60k miles.
Check for: Test over speed bumps — any clonk is a bush.
Typical cost: £250–£500 to refresh bushes
MOT history red flags
If any of these appear on the last two MOTs, negotiate hard or walk away.
- 'Rear suspension arm bush deteriorated' advisory
- Emissions failure on the 1.5 TDCi
Sharp questions to ask the seller
- Wet belt done? On what mileage?
- Any evidence of coolant loss?
Got a specific Ford Focus in mind?
Paste the reg and we'll pull its full MOT history, cross-check against these faults, and tell you: buy, negotiate or walk away.