Ford Focus (2018)
2018 Ford Focus
CarHunch analysed 48,944 real MOT records for the 2018 Ford Focus. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Ford Focus passes MOT at 87.4%, well above the UK average of 80%, which is a solid result—though nearly a quarter of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a figure worth noting if you're buying used. Petrol models are slightly more reliable than diesels, with pass rates of 88.2% versus 84.8%.
At a median 33,351 miles, these cars are running relatively light for their age, suggesting most owners have kept them in decent condition. With 0.73 average failures per vehicle and 4.8 advisories, the Focus tends to need minor attention rather than major work—check the service history carefully when buying, and budget for routine suspension and brake wear items that show up as common advisories.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.4 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2018 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.
- ⚠️ 24% 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 (77%) | 37,748 | 88.2% | 0.69 |
| Diesel (23%) | 11,196 | 84.8% | 0.84 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 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 2018 Ford Focus vehicles fall between 24,509 and 43,420 miles.
2018 Ford Focus — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 45,429 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 Ford Focus
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
43.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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41.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
31.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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20.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
18.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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17.6%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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17.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
15%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. 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.