2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Ford Focus C-Max MOT pass rate and common faults

2,136 MOT tests in 2024. 47.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

85Well below average
Passed first time47.9%
Failed or needed repairs52.1%
Typical mileage at test114,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,136 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.4%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.0%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.6%
    165 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.5%
    153 marked dangerous
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.4%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.4%
  7. Position lamp: not working4.0%
  8. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.9%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.7%
    106 marked dangerous
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension37.4%
  2. Lights & electrics35.0%
  3. Brakes18.2%
  4. Emissions & leaks13.6%
  5. Tyres13.1%
  6. Body & chassis9.9%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.4%
  8. Steering4.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm25.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened16.2%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened13.7%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.1%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

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

In 2024, 47.9% of 2004 Ford Focus C-Max cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,136 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Ford Focus C-Max?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2004 Ford Focus C-Max reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 85, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).