I’m in the market for a second car for our family. We’ve managed with one car for years, but with job changes and two young kids, we need something for local trips a few times a week. I’m looking for something cheap, reliable, and big enough for the kids.
I found this 2008 Ford Focus: Autotrader Link. It seems to fit the bill, but the most recent MOT has 8 advisories:
Central front exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))
Nearside front body not fully secure wing (6.2.2 (a) (i))
Nearside front brake disc worn, pitted, or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
Nearside front suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside front body not fully secure wing (6.2.2 (a) (i))
Offside front brake disc worn, pitted, or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
Offside rear shock absorber has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (all rear suspension) (5.3.3 (b) (i))
I don’t know much mechanically, so I’m unsure if these are red flags or just standard for an older car.
Check for rust on the sills near the rear wheels. My 57 plate Focus has been reliable for years but will fail its next MOT due to sill rust. Shame because it’s a great car with lots of space.
It’s possible someone just stuck the wrong badge on it. Sometimes badges fall off, or the previous owner wanted to add one. Look into its history to see if there’s evidence of an accident.
For the price, it’s decent, but check the front end carefully. Loose wings might mean it’s been in a minor accident or the owner was rough with parking.
It depends on how long you want to keep it and how much you’re willing to spend on repairs. Wax oil the rear suspension to slow down rust, replace the brake discs at your next pad change, and keep an eye on the rear shocks and ball joint. The loose front wings are odd—might be worth a closer inspection. Something about this car feels off to me. Consider bringing someone knowledgeable to check it out.
Keep looking. Focuses are great cars if you find a tidy one, but this one has too many potential issues. The central exhaust leak could be expensive, and loose wings might be rust-related. Private sales often have better-maintained cars at similar prices.
Here’s another option: 2009 Ford Focus Titanium. It’s a 1.6 but has a higher Titanium trim. It’s had more miles but looks well-maintained with only one advisory on the last MOT.