Ford Focus C Max (2004)
2004 Ford Focus C Max
CarHunch analysed 30,044 real MOT records for the 2004 Ford Focus C Max. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Focus C-Max passes its MOT just 73.5% of the time—notably below the UK average of 80%—and a serious concern emerges: 36.1% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects, well above acceptable thresholds. Both petrol and diesel versions perform similarly poorly, with pass rates around 73–74%, so fuel choice won't improve your odds here.
At 82,677 miles median, these ten-year-old cars are running at typical mileage, but they're accumulating problems: the average vehicle racks up 4.5 failures and a hefty 22.5 advisories per MOT. Before buying, have any prospect independently inspected by a mechanic you trust, paying particular attention to structural and brake components—the dangerous defect rate suggests systemic issues rather than one-off problems.
What to check before buying a 2004 Ford Focus C Max
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 36.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Ford Focus C Max
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (54%) | 16,300 | 72.9% | 4.6 |
| Petrol (46%) | 13,736 | 74.1% | 4.47 |
| Other (0%) | 5 | 100% | 0 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 86.1% | 1.5 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 83.3% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Ford Focus C Max vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2004 Ford Focus C Max vehicles fall between 67,427 and 99,721 miles.
2004 Ford Focus C Max — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,447 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Ford Focus C Max?
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