MOT fail rates by first-use year
1999 Ford Focus MOT fail rate and common faults
How Ford Focus cars first used in 1999 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2024, against all cars of the same age. From 5,521 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 25 years, tested in 2024
What stands out
- In 2024, at 25 years old, Ford Focus cars first used in 1999 failed 49.0% of MOTs (1,317 tests), 12.7 points above the 36.3% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2024, as these cars went from 23 to 25 years old, the fail rate moved from 50.6% to 49.0%.
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Ford Focus at 25 years, is component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, at 7.0 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 4.2).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23 years | 50.6% | 2,455 | 39.6% | +11.0 pts |
| 2023 | 24 years | 48.6% | 1,749 | 37.8% | +10.8 pts |
| 2024 | 25 years | 49.0% | 1,317 | 36.3% | +12.7 pts |
Most common faults at 25 years
These figures cover all Ford Focus MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1998 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,218). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 7.0 | 4.2 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 6.2 | 2.6 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 4.4 | 3.1 |
| Rear fog lamp: not working Wear | 4.2 | 1.6 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 4.1 | 3.4 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear | 4.0 | 1.8 |
| Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases | 3.9 | 2.1 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 3.7 | 1.9 |
| Handbrake too weak | 3.5 | 2.3 |
| Anti-roll bar link worn | 3.3 | 0.5 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,218). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 26.8 | 14.1 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 23.3 | 6.4 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 17.8 | 10.1 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 16.4 | 14.9 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 15.9 | 2.9 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 12.9 | 9.1 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear | 12.0 | 5.6 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | 9.2 | 2.5 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.0 | 8.6 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 8.9 | 5.3 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,218). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 25 years
These figures cover all Ford Focus MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1998 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,218). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 96.7% | 47.3% | 3,112 | 35.2% | 98,623 miles |
Car tax rules for a 1999 car
- Cars first registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed by engine size: one annual rate for engines up to 1,549cc and a higher rate above that.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Petrol cars first registered before 2001 usually do not meet Euro 4, so they usually pay the ULEZ daily charge.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 1999 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Ford Focus
Other Ford models first used in 1999
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta (1999) | 25 years in 2024 | 47.6% | 1,493 | 36.3% |
More on the Ford Focus
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 1999 Ford Focus cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.