Is the Ford Focus reliable?

The Ford Focus has an average MOT pass rate of 77% across 25 years, based on 1,667,318 tests in 2026. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2022 with a 92% pass rate.

Which year Ford Focus is best?

The 2022 Ford Focus has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 65%. There's a 27 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Ford Focus

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 25 years from 1,667,318 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

77%

Total Tests

1,667,318

Best Year

2022 (92%)

Years Covered

About the Ford Focus

The Ford Focus has been tested 1,667,318 times in 2026 MOT data across 25 model years (1998 to 2022), with an average pass rate of 77%. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Available as petrol and diesel.

Best and Worst Years

The 2022 model is the most reliable with a 92% pass rate from 810 tests. The 1999 model has the lowest at 65%. With a 27 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer FORD FOCUSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 15 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1998) averages 105,722 miles, while the newest (2022) averages 23,275 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Ford brand average of 85%, the Focus is 8 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Ford models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

£955

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,405

Per month£117/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2022 details

How reliable is the Ford Focus?

vs national average-5% (82% avg)

vs Ford brand average-8% (85% avg)

Best to worst year spread27 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Ford Focus by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	92%	810	23,275 mi
2021	90%	20,441	30,768 mi
2020	91%	58,336	35,324 mi
2019	89%	93,803	41,996 mi
2018	89%	82,066	47,654 mi
2017	89%	109,241	57,591 mi
2016	87%	109,880	66,788 mi
2015	85%	129,337	75,436 mi
2014	80%	131,119	83,264 mi
2013	78%	132,292	90,803 mi
2012	78%	123,008	97,038 mi
2011	75%	115,331	103,292 mi
2010	75%	101,132	104,468 mi
2009	74%	105,193	105,899 mi
2008	73%	90,659	109,505 mi
2007	73%	77,121	108,772 mi
2006	73%	56,257	109,516 mi
2005	71%	41,794	108,237 mi
2004	69%	29,927	105,988 mi
2003	68%	22,313	99,363 mi
2002	69%	17,885	103,596 mi
2001	68%	10,188	105,162 mi
2000	67%	4,627	104,538 mi
1999	65%	4,250	109,114 mi
1998	66%	308	105,722 mi