Used car guide

2009 Ford Focus: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Ford Focuss, from 48,664 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

48,664MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,600typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Ford Focuss than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    Ford Focus
    20.1% All 2009 cars
    11.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Headlamp aim2.1× usual
    Ford Focus
    10.7% All 2009 cars
    5.1%
    Rough price £20–£60

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Suspension arm1.6× usual
    Ford Focus
    6.1% All 2009 cars
    3.9%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings1.6× usual
    Ford Focus
    5.1% All 2009 cars
    3.1%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Anti-roll bar links7.7× usual
    Ford Focus
    2.3% All 2009 cars
    0.3%
    Rough price £50–£150

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.9% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars. Track rod end: 2.7% here, against 5.4% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Ford Focus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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
    38% 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
    37% 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
    24% 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20218,521Tyres 27%
202030,344Tyres 30%
201953,319Tyres 30%
201847,246Tyres 31%
201763,270Tyres 32%
201663,324Tyres 32%
201574,174Tyres 35%
201472,213Tyres 36%
201370,325Tyres 36%
201264,331Suspension 40%
201159,423Suspension 44%
201049,593Suspension 49%
200839,015Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Ford Focuss registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score