1999 Ford Focus: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Ford Focuss, from 952 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Ford Focuss than on all cars registered in 1999.
- Coil springs3.2× usualFord Focus24.9% All 1999 cars7.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
- Sub-frame5.1× usualFord Focus17.8% All 1999 cars3.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
- Rigid brake pipes1.9× usualFord Focus29.7% All 1999 cars15.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
- Headlights2.9× usualFord Focus17.4% All 1999 cars5.9%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.8% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
- Exhaust system2× usualFord Focus17.2% All 1999 cars8.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.
Shock absorbers: 2.6% here, against 5.7% of all 1999 cars.
By area
The share of 1999 Ford Focus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension61% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Brakes47% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Lights and electrics44% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres35% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Rust and bodywork19% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Oil and fluid leaks19% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,067 | Tyres 14% |
| 2022 | 14,188 | Tyres 25% |
| 2021 | 18,246 | Tyres 28% |
| 2020 | 36,357 | Tyres 29% |
| 2019 | 55,300 | Tyres 30% |
| 2018 | 47,255 | Tyres 31% |
| 2017 | 63,281 | Tyres 32% |
| 2016 | 63,333 | Tyres 32% |
| 2015 | 74,189 | Tyres 35% |
| 2014 | 72,222 | Tyres 36% |
| 2013 | 70,329 | Tyres 36% |
| 2012 | 64,336 | Suspension 40% |
| 2011 | 59,424 | Suspension 44% |
| 2010 | 49,596 | Suspension 49% |
| 2009 | 48,669 | Suspension 51% |
| 2008 | 39,020 | Suspension 54% |
| 2007 | 32,485 | Suspension 54% |
| 2006 | 23,095 | Suspension 54% |
| 2005 | 16,382 | Suspension 58% |
| 2004 | 11,949 | Suspension 59% |
| 2003 | 9,065 | Suspension 54% |
| 2002 | 7,099 | Suspension 56% |
| 2001 | 4,063 | Suspension 55% |
| 2000 | 1,784 | Suspension 59% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Ford Focuss registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score