MOT performance
Ford Focus Mk3 (2011–2018): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 974,002 MOT tests on the Ford Focus Mk3 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered May 2011–Jun 2018, on average 8.6 years old at test), 72.2% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the Mk3 failed about as often as comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the Mk4, it fails about as often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.96× vs 0.99×).
974,002 MOT tests on 487,904 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 72.2% | ±0.1 pts (95%), n = 974,002 |
| All Ford Focuss | 68.0% | n = 1,956,630 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.96× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Ford Focus overall 0.99× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.1% | n = 974,002 |
| Average age at test | 8.6 years | n = 974,002 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2011–2018 | Mar 2011 to Aug 2018 |
Mk3 against the other Ford Focus generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mk3 (2011–2018) | 974,002 | 8.6 yrs | 72.2% | -4% | 8.1% |
| Mk4 (2018–2025) | 221,212 | 3.3 yrs | 86.1% | -1% | 5.8% |
Where the Mk3 differs
- Steering: the Mk3 failed 38% less often than the Ford Focus overall, relative to comparable cars (0.37× vs 0.59×).
- Seat belts and airbags: the Mk3 failed 30% less often than the Ford Focus overall, relative to comparable cars (0.43× vs 0.61×).
- Noise, emissions and leaks: the Mk3 failed 21% more often than the Ford Focus overall, relative to comparable cars (1.07× vs 0.88×).
| Area | Mk3 (vs similar) | Mk4 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 12.8% (+21%) | 2.9% (-11%) |
| Tyres | 7.5% (+8%) | 5.8% (+18%) |
| Suspension | 7.2% (-18%) | 0.7% (-36%) |
| Brakes | 4.3% (-32%) | 2.5% (-3%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.4% (-23%) | 1.6% (-52%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.0% (+7%) | 2.0% (+162%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 1.8% (-34%) | 0.2% (-53%) |
| Steering | 0.7% (-63%) | 0.4% (+79%) |
| Road wheels | 0.4% (+12%) | 0.1% (-26%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% (+2%) | 0.2% (-19%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% (-57%) | 0.4% (+1%) |
Most common Ford Focus Mk3 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 3.44% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.98% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.86% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.33% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.78% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | Mk3 pass rate (tests) | Mk4 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 87.4% (14,301) | 86.1% (151,785) |
| 5-6 | 83.7% (175,317) | 81.2% (22,572) |
| 7-8 | 77.7% (278,974) | — |
| 9-10 | 66.5% (293,597) | — |
| 11-12 | 62.2% (199,171) | — |
| 13-15 | 59.3% (12,642) | — |
Registration years in the Mk3
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the Mk3 (Mar 2011 to Aug 2018). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Ford Focus Mk3
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.