2001 Ford Focus: petrol or diesel?
Petrol, diesel and hybrid versions go wrong in different ways, so each has its own figures from the MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Pick the one you’re looking at: the fuel is on the logbook and in the car’s MOT history.
Hybrid versions had too few MOTs for figures of their own, or weren’t sold.
Known faults on every 2001 Ford Focus
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Cambelt changes often skipped
A failed cambelt can wreck the engine, and because the job can cost close to what the car is worth, some owners skip it. Many specialists advise changing it more often than 100,000 miles or ten years, especially on diesels.
At the viewing: Check the service history for a cambelt change.
- All engines
Sill rust
The sills can corrode with age.
At the viewing: Look along and under the sills for rust.
- All engines
Electrical faults, wet lights and windscreen heater
Electrical parts are prone to fail, water gets into the headlights and tail lights and blows bulbs, and the Quickclear heated windscreen elements fail.
At the viewing: Check all lights for water inside, and test the heated windscreen.
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
Every year of the Ford Focus compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 1,106 | Tyres 14% |
| 2022 | 15,220 | Tyres 24% |
| 2021 | 37,645 | Tyres 26% |
| 2020 | 109,516 | Tyres 27% |
| 2019 | 164,617 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 141,023 | Tyres 30% |
| 2017 | 189,550 | Tyres 31% |
| 2016 | 190,185 | Tyres 31% |
| 2015 | 223,949 | Tyres 33% |
| 2014 | 221,326 | Tyres 35% |
| 2013 | 217,909 | Tyres 35% |
| 2012 | 201,769 | Tyres 36% |
| 2011 | 189,450 | Suspension 40% |
| 2010 | 162,457 | Suspension 46% |
| 2009 | 166,345 | Suspension 48% |
| 2008 | 140,354 | Suspension 51% |
| 2007 | 121,609 | Suspension 52% |
| 2006 | 88,093 | Suspension 52% |
| 2005 | 65,488 | Suspension 55% |
| 2004 | 47,198 | Suspension 58% |
| 2003 | 35,763 | Suspension 53% |
| 2002 | 28,429 | Suspension 54% |
| 2000 | 7,477 | Suspension 57% |
| 1999 | 3,978 | Suspension 60% |
| 1998 | 243 | Suspension 65% |