Ford Focus Zetec 100 (2008)
2008 Ford Focus Zetec 100
CarHunch analysed 374 real MOT records for the 2008 Ford Focus Zetec 100. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2008 Focus Zetec 100 is a substantially unreliable prospect: only 55.4% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, and the petrol variants are particularly dire with just a 1.2% pass rate—though the 257 "Other" fuel vehicles (likely LPG conversions) manage a respectable 80.1%. The absence of dangerous defects is the only reassuring note, but it doesn't offset the reality that roughly half these cars fail their MOT on first attempt.
At just over 100,000 miles median mileage for a 16-year-old car, these Focus models are running with typical wear, yet they're averaging 1.06 failures per test, suggesting structural or mechanical decay rather than one-off issues. If you're considering this model, mechanically inspect any petrol version thoroughly before purchase, and strongly favour any LPG-converted examples if you can find a well-maintained one—but honestly, the pass rate tells you this generation of Focus is reaching the end of its reliable life.
What to check before buying a 2008 Ford Focus Zetec 100
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 Zetec 100
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other (69%) | 257 | 80.1% | 1.51 |
| Petrol (31%) | 117 | 1.2% | 0.06 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Ford Focus Zetec 100 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 2008 Ford Focus Zetec 100 vehicles fall between 80,564 and 121,710 miles.
2008 Ford Focus Zetec 100 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 118 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (49% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Ford Focus Zetec 100?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.