Ford Focus (2009)
2009 Ford Focus
CarHunch analysed 89,275 real MOT records for the 2009 Ford Focus. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Ford Focus trails the UK average by over 4 percentage points, with a first-time pass rate of just 75.9%, and nearly half of these vehicles have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history—a significant concern for any potential buyer. Petrol versions perform marginally better at 76.7% pass rate versus 74.3% for diesels, suggesting the petrol engine is the more robust choice.
These cars are averaging 74,657 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but the real story lies in the failure pattern: owners are dealing with an average of 4 major failures and 23 advisories per vehicle, pointing to accumulating wear across multiple systems rather than one fatal flaw. Before committing to a 2009 Focus, insist on a full service history and have a trusted mechanic inspect the suspension, brakes, and cooling system—the advisory count suggests these are the typical trouble spots.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.4 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2009 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.
- ⚠️ 49.2% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (66%) | 58,972 | 76.7% | 4.13 |
| Diesel (34%) | 30,287 | 74.3% | 3.79 |
| Other (0%) | 8 | 93.8% | 0.63 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 80.4% | 3.6 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 6 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 83.3% | 3 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 50% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 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 2009 Ford Focus vehicles fall between 52,042 and 82,006 miles.
2009 Ford Focus — Still on the Road
46,792 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 56% of the peak remain.
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 — 2009 Ford Focus
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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62%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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59.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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46.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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44.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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44.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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42.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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35%
Oil leak, but not excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009. 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.