Verdict
The 2015 Ford Focus 1.0 Petrol passes its MOT first time on 82.2% of tests, against 78.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. It beats 73% of cars on UK roads, well ahead of the Focus as a whole, which is about average.
It is about 3 points ahead of a typical car of the same age and mileage at 3 years old and 4–5 points ahead from 4 to 8, but the lead fades after that: it is level at 10 and about a point behind at 11. Mileage matters more: across all years of the 1.0 petrol, it is about 2 points ahead between 10,000 and 50,000 miles, level at about 60,000 and around 5 points behind beyond 100,000.
2015–2017 cars with this engine beat about seven in ten cars. 2012–2013 cars are below average and 2019 cars do worst, while 2022 cars, with fewer tests so far, do slightly better than 2015. Of the other 2015 engines, the 1.5 diesel and 2.0 diesel do about the same as this car, the 1.5 and 2.0 petrol a little better, and the 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel are only about average.
Suspension fails only about a quarter as often as on a typical car, and steering and brakes also less often. The weak spots are warning lights and lamps: the indicator side repeaters fail 3.5 times as often as on a typical car, the engine warning light 3.2 times, the tyre pressure warning 2.4 times (about 1 in 45 tests), and emissions and leaks overall 1.8 times.
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT.
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)
Fails 2.5 times as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 45 tests, and is the single defect testers record most on this car. Make sure no tyre-pressure warning stays on after start-up. - Engine warning light
Fails 3.2 times as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 47 tests. It should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts; if it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy. - Indicator side repeaters
Fail 3.5 times as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 83 tests. Put the hazard lights on and check the small side repeaters on both sides. - ABS warning light
Rare, on about 1 in 170 tests, but 3.9 times the typical rate. The ABS light should go out shortly after start-up. - Rear fog light
Fails 2.4 times as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 150 tests. Switch it on and check it from behind the car. - Catalyst emissions
Fail 1.6 times as often as on a typical car, though only on about 1 in 170 tests. Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history. - Tyres
Tyre damage is the most common fail, on about 1 in 33 tests, at about the typical rate. Check both sidewalls of every tyre for cuts, bulges and cracking and look for at least 3 mm of tread.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyre damage & cracking | 3.0% | 3.0% | 1.0× |
| Tyre pressure warning (TPMS) | 2.2% | 0.9% | 2.4× |
| Engine warning light | 2.1% | 0.7% | 3.2× |
| Tyre tread depth | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.0× |
| Headlight aim | 2.0% | 2.0% | 1.0× |
| Brake pads | 1.5% | 1.9% | 0.8× |
| Windscreen washers | 1.4% | 1.5% | 0.9× |
| Indicator side repeaters | 1.2% | 0.3% | 3.5× |
| Sidelights | 1.1% | 1.0% | 1.1× |
| Headlight bulbs & units | 0.9% | 1.1% | 0.8× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | 22.1 |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 21.5 |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 20.9 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 20.4 |
| A tyre seriously damaged | 17.7 |
| A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 14.3 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 13.7 |
| A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 12.5 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Advisories
Not a fail yet, but likely to need attention soon.
| Item | Share of tests | vs typical |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth | 17.5% | 1.1× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 9.1% | 1.0× |
| Brake pads | 6.9% | 0.9× |
| Brake discs | 3.9% | 0.4× |
| Suspension arm bushes | 2.6% | 0.8× |
| Number plates | 1.4% | 1.3× |
| Exhaust system | 1.1% | 0.9× |
| Shock absorbers | 1.0% | 0.4× |
Best and worst years
Focus 1.0 Petrol by year, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Other 2015 Focus engines
Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Petrol | 82.2% | Beats 73% | B |
| 1.5 Diesel | 79.2% | Beats 73% | B |
| 1.6 Petrol | 80.9% | Beats 58% | C |
| 1.6 Diesel | 76.0% | Beats 55% | C |
| 2.0 Diesel | 80.1% | Beats 75% | B |
| 2.0 Petrol | 83.3% | Beats 81% | A |
| 1.5 Petrol | 84.1% | Beats 83% | A |
FAQ
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2015 Ford Focus 1.0 Petrol?
82.2% of MOT tests on the 2015 Ford Focus 1.0 Petrol were passed first time, from 240,665 tests between 2018 and 2026. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 78.9%.
Is the 2015 Ford Focus 1.0 Petrol reliable?
On MOT results it is above average: it beats 73% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, though its lead fades after 9 years old and at high mileage. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
What are the most common MOT failures on the 2015 Ford Focus 1.0 Petrol?
Tyre damage, the tyre pressure warning (about 1 in 45 tests), tyre tread depth and the engine warning light.
Which year of Ford Focus 1.0 Petrol is best?
Of the years with the most cars, 2015–2017 do best, beating about seven in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. 2022 cars do slightly better on fewer tests so far. 2019 cars do worst, beating only about one in four.
Should I buy the 2015 Focus 1.0 petrol or 1.5 diesel?
On MOT results there is nothing between them: both beat about seven in ten cars. The 1.5 and 2.0 petrol do slightly better, the 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel less well.
Is a high-mileage Focus 1.0 petrol a good buy?
Its lead over a typical car is a low-mileage one: across all years of the 1.0 petrol it is level with a typical car at about 60,000 miles and 3–6 points behind beyond 80,000.