Ford Focus (2008)
2008 Ford Focus
CarHunch analysed 97,384 real MOT records for the 2008 Ford Focus. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 Ford Focus falls short of the UK average pass rate at 75.4% versus 80%, and nearly half of these cars—45.3%—have recorded dangerous defects at some point, which is a serious concern for buyers. Petrol models fare slightly better at 76.3% pass rate compared to diesel variants at 74%, though neither inspires confidence.
These 16-year-old Focuses show moderate mileage around 68,700 miles at the median, and they're racking up substantial wear with an average of 4.11 failures and 23.6 advisories per test—suggesting chronic issues across electrical, suspension, and exhaust systems rather than isolated problems. Before buying one, insist on a full inspection of the braking system and suspension components, as these are where the bulk of failures and advisories typically cluster on this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2008 Ford Focus
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.
- ⚠️ 45.3% 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (62%) | 60,733 | 76.3% | 4.26 |
| Diesel (38%) | 36,632 | 74% | 3.85 |
| LPG (0%) | 11 | 74.8% | 4 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 90.9% | 1 |
| Electric (0%) | 3 | 65.3% | 1.67 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 75% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Ford Focus 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 vehicles fall between 54,444 and 83,808 miles.
2008 Ford Focus — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 37,374 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (41% 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
Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Ford Focus
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
62%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
59.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
46.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
44.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
44.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
42.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
36.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
35%
Oil leak, but not excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Focus?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.