Used car guide

2007 Ford Focus: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Ford Focuss, from 32,485 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

32,485MOT tests in 2025

58%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)

5,800typical miles a year

1.7×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Ford Focuss than on all cars registered in 2007.

Sub-frame1.7× usual

Ford Focus
13.2% All 2007 cars
7.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Suspension arm2.2× usual

Ford Focus
8.7% All 2007 cars
3.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Individual direction indicators2.2× usual

Ford Focus
7.3% All 2007 cars
3.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Transmission oil leaks1.7× usual

Ford Focus
2.6% All 2007 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.3% here, against 11.2% of all 2007 cars. Headlights: 5.1% here, against 13% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Ford Focus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

54% 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.
Tyres

37% 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.
Lights and electrics

35% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Brakes

27% 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.
Oil and fluid leaks

14% 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.
Exhaust and emissions

13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Ford Focus?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2023	979	Tyres 13%
2022	13,516	Tyres 25%
2021	13,964	Tyres 27%
2020	34,531	Tyres 29%
2019	55,299	Tyres 30%
2018	47,253	Tyres 31%
2017	63,281	Tyres 32%
2016	63,333	Tyres 32%
2015	74,187	Tyres 35%
2014	72,222	Tyres 36%
2013	70,329	Tyres 36%
2012	64,335	Suspension 40%
2011	59,423	Suspension 44%
2010	49,596	Suspension 49%
2009	48,669	Suspension 51%
2008	39,020	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 2007 Ford Focuss registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score