Ford Focus (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 29,927 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,428

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1596cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,428/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1596cc22 years old29,927 tests106k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1596cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,428

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

69% of MOT tests on Ford Focuss from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 29,927 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 105,988 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models326th of 470(bottom half)

Rank among Ford models1037th of 1,136(bottom 9%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average-3%(72% avg)

vs Ford average-16%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

105,988

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 Ford Focus had 105,988 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 65%. The 2004 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Ford Focus by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

+2%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+11%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2006 · 1229cc Petrol

£2,353/year

68%

-1%

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About the 2004 Ford Focus

The 2004 Ford Focus is a small family car. Our records list a 1596cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 29,927 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 105,988 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Focus owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 Ford Focus Fuel Costs

The 1596cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 Ford Focus?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,428 (£202/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Ford Focus Reliability Trend

Newer Ford Focuss pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 14 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2004 Ford Focus

At 22 years old, the Ford Focus is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. With 29,927 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2004 Ford Focus Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 5,653 MOT tests on the 2004 Ford Focus that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Lights and electrics50%
Same age: 50%
Suspension46%
Same age: 39%
Brakes23%
Same age: 30% (fails on this less often)
Body, chassis and structure18%
Same age: 21%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Ford Focus reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 106k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 Ford Focus stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Ford Focus(2004)	69%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£200
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361-£67
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£275
Vauxhall Corsa(2006)	68%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353-£75

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2004 Ford Focus

Is the 2004 Ford Focus reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 2004 Ford Focuss ended in a pass, from 29,927 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 Ford Focus cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,428 a year (£202 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

69% of 29,927 MOT tests on the 2004 Ford Focus ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 326th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (bottom half).

Which year Ford Focus has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Ford Focus has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 1999 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 Ford Focus?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 Ford Focus is 105,988 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.