84.2%
pass rate across 260,904 tests
81.4% first-time pass rate
71,899 mi median at test
Ford Focus 2015 vs 2018
The same model, 3 years apart, compared on 417,468 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
88.4%
pass rate across 156,564 tests
87.1% first-time pass rate
43,816 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2018 Focus passes more — but most of it is age
Across 417,468 tests, the 2018 Focus passes 88.4% of MOTs and the 2015 84.2%. The 2018 cars are 3 years newer and were tested at a median 43,816 miles against 71,899, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2018 is +0.5 points and the 2015 +2.1 — a like-for-like gap of −1.6 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £36–£85 on the 2015 and £36–£85 on the 2018. The two bills are close. Repairs under £30 account for 30% of the 2015's recorded faults and 24% of the 2018's. The most common failing part is tyres on the 2015 and windscreen on the 2018.
- Pass rate: 84.2% vs 88.4%
- Tests: 260,904 vs 156,564
- Like-for-like: +2.1 vs +0.5 pts
- Median mileage: 71,899 vs 43,816 mi
- Typical repair: £36–£85 vs £36–£85
- Cheap fixes: 30% vs 24%
| Measure | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 260,904 | 156,564 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 84.2% | 88.4% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 81.4% | 87.1% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | +2.1 pts stronger figure | +0.5 pts |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | +2.1 pts stronger figure | +0.5 pts |
| Average mileage at test | 75,196 mi | 47,605 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 71,899 mi | 43,816 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £36–£85 | £36–£85 |
| Repairs under £30 | 30% stronger figure | 24% |
| Most common failing part | Tyres | Windscreen |
| Variants recorded | 3 | 3 |
| Main fuel | Petrol 54% | Petrol 78% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2015 Focus
- Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative 2.6% £45–£95
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 2.0% £80–£200
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.3% £45–£95
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.1% £45–£95
- Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction 1.0% £3–£12
2018 Focus
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 1.3% £80–£200
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick 1.3% £18–£45
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.2% £45–£95
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.2% £45–£95
- Has ply or cords exposed 0.8% £45–£95
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 92.8% · 11,670 tests | 92.5% · 35,290 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 88.4% · 74,659 tests | 88.4% · 83,210 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 83.1% · 103,063 tests | 85.1% · 29,734 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 80.3% · 50,773 tests | 83.8% · 6,262 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 79.0% · 20,244 tests | 83.3% · 2,019 tests |
What to check before you buy
2015 Ford Focus
- Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative — 2.6% of tests · £45–£95
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 2.0% of tests · £80–£200
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm — 1.3% of tests · £45–£95
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2018 Ford Focus
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 1.3% of tests · £80–£200
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick — 1.3% of tests · £18–£45
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm — 1.2% of tests · £45–£95
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the Ford Focus? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the Ford Focus →
Or put the Focus against another model: Compare the Ford Focus side by side →