Petrol Ford Focus: MOT pass rate

75.4% of petrol Ford Focus pass the MOT first time, measured across 624,338 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 77,898.

Petrol against the other Ford Focus versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Ford Focus specifically, petrol is the strongest at 75.4%, and this petrol version sits 0.6 points above the 74.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Ford Focus had covered 77,898 miles at test, against 97,971 for the diesel. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Ford Focus page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Ford Focus

1. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.7% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
2. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.4% of tests (1.5x the national rate for this defect)
3. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 1.4% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect)
4. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 3.1% of tests (1.35x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.2% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
6. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.1% of tests (1.25x the national rate for this defect)
7. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.8% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect)
8. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 1.5% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.7% of tests (1.17x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 5.6% of tests

From 628,139 DVSA-tracked petrol Ford Focus tests, 2024, split out from the Ford Focus's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.35% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Ford Focus

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 13.4% of tests (2.59x the national rate for this defect)
2. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3.4% of tests (2.5x the national rate for this defect)
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 9.4% of tests (1.99x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 5.7% of tests (1.99x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3% of tests (1.99x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.6% of tests (1.75x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 17.9% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 30.6% of tests, also fails
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 17.1% of tests
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 10.4% of tests

From 628,139 DVSA-tracked petrol Ford Focus tests, 2024.

Other Ford Focus fuel types

• Diesel Ford Focus - 73.7%

All Ford Focus MOT data · Every model