Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Ford Focus C Max?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Ford Focus C Max?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Ford Focus C Max?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2004 Ford Focus C Max vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 Ford Focus C Max reliable?

Based on MOT data from 30,044 vehicles, the 2004 Ford Focus C Max has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Ford Focus C Max?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Ford Focus C Max (2004)

30,044 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.5% first-time pass rate

2004 Ford Focus C Max

CarHunch analysed 30,044 real MOT records for the 2004 Ford Focus C Max. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

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.

The 2004 Ford Focus C Max has a below-average first-time pass rate (73.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

73.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

36.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.54

Over 16.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

83k

Middle half: 67k–100k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 22.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 30,044 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 30,044 Ford Focus C Max cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Ford Focus C Max

Based on MOT data from 30,044 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 36.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 79,770 Ford Focus C Max vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 30.8%

24,574

Blue 28.4%

22,629

Black 13.8%

11,001

Grey 12.2%

9,765

Green 6.3%

5,028

Red 6%

4,760

Orange 2.3%

1,826

White 0.2%

134

Maroon 0%

Brown 0%

Bronze 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Ford Focus C Max vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

82,677

typical

67,427

low mileage

99,721

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Ford Focus C Max vehicles fall between 67,427 and 99,721 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 67,427 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 67,427–99,721 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Ford Focus C Maxs sit.

⚠ Over 134,623 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Ford Focus C Max — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 6% of 2004 Ford Focus C Maxs are still active.

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.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.54

Avg failures per vehicle

22.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ford Focus C Max: All Focus C Max years → Which year to buy? →

2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Ford →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Ford Focus C Max stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on