Ford Focus ST Line Tdci (2017)

636 real MOT outcomes analysed • 57.3% first-time pass rate

2017 Ford Focus ST Line Tdci

CarHunch analysed 636 real MOT records for the 2017 Ford Focus ST Line Tdci. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2017 Focus ST-Line diesel has a troubling first-time MOT pass rate of 57.3%, well below the UK average of 80%, which means more than four in ten fail their test. The good news is that dangerous defects are extremely rare at 0%, so while these cars need more remedial work than most, they're not presenting serious safety hazards.

At 65,000 miles median mileage, these diesels are running fairly light for a seven-year-old car, yet they're still racking up 0.1 failures per vehicle on average—suggesting the faults are concentrated and recurring rather than random wear items. If you're considering one, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a diesel specialist and expect to factor in repair costs that the current owner may have deferred.

Below average reliability 22.7% below UK average
57.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
65,213
typical mileage
52,057–78,883 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.1
avg MOT failures per car
over 2.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2017 Ford Focus ST Line Tdci

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.
  • 📄 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 ST Line Tdci

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (100%) 635 57.2% 0.1
Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 Ford Focus ST Line Tdci 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.

52,057
low mileage
65,213
typical
78,883
high mileage

Half of all 2017 Ford Focus ST Line Tdci vehicles fall between 52,057 and 78,883 miles.

2017 Ford Focus ST Line Tdci — Still on the Road

192 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 66% of the peak remain.

187 192 2021 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.1
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Ford Focus ST Line Tdci?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Ford Focus ST Line Tdci:

2018 2019 2020