See What Dave Finds
This is a real report for a 2017 Ford Focus. Every section below is exactly what you get when you check a car with Dave.
Dave Says: Proceed With Caution
Health Score · 74 / 100
This Focus has been well-maintained with consistent mileage and no major failures. There are a couple of recurring advisories around the front suspension bushes that are worth checking at viewing. The exhaust has picked up its first advisory which is worth monitoring. Overall, this is a sensible buy at the right price — but negotiate hard on the suspension work that's clearly needed.
A Steady Commuter With Emerging Wear
Mileage Profile
Annual Average
8,200
-25% vs UK avg
Last Year
7,800
Trend
Stable
Projected @ Next MOT
65,200
Annual mileage per period (hover for detail)
This car appears to be a daily commuter with consistent, predictable use.
Reliability Trend
Owner Care Signals
Consistent mileage suggests single regular driver
No gaps in MOT testing — responsible ownership
Brake maintenance carried out proactively in year 4
Suspension advisory has not been addressed despite appearing 3 times
Increasing number of advisories suggests maintenance is slipping
Watch List
Front lower arm bushes flagged as worn in 3 consecutive tests
Front disc wear approaching limit
First advisory appeared at most recent test
Repair History
2021-09: Brake pads replaced before reaching failure point
2024-09: Suspension advisory acknowledged but not repaired
Concerns Identified
- The recurring suspension advisory combined with stable mileage suggests road surface quality in the owner's area may be accelerating bush wear — this is common in urban environments with speed bumps.
- The timing of the first exhaust advisory coinciding with the 7th year aligns with known Ford Focus exhaust lifecycle patterns.
- Tyre wear advisories appearing on the offside only may indicate a slight tracking issue that hasn't been corrected.
Range: 65-78%
Predicted failure window: 8–14 months
Estimated 22-35% probability of failing the next MOT
Contributing Factors
At-Risk Components
Assumes 8,200 miles/year annual mileage
Analysis based on 8 MOT test record(s)
Estimated component wear based on mileage, advisory history, and typical lifespans
Advisory: "Lower arm bush worn — flagged 3 times"
3 consecutive MOT advisories with increasing severity
Advisory: "Disc worn close to legal limit"
Latest MOT advisory on disc thickness
Advisory: "Approaching minimum tread depth"
2 historical tyre wear advisories
Advisory: "First advisory at latest test"
Single advisory — early stage
Wear estimates are approximate — actual wear depends on driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, and component quality
Estimated failure windows based on MOT advisory patterns and mileage projections
Ranges reflect uncertainty — actual failure timing depends on driving conditions and maintenance
No known recalls found for this vehicle
Based on make/model/year. Contact your dealer for the most up-to-date recall status.
The Ford Focus Mk3.5 (2015-2018) is one of the UK's most popular and well-understood cars. Parts are cheap, mechanics know them inside out, and residual values are stable. The 1.0 EcoBoost is the pick of the engine range for economy.
Known Issues for Ford Focus
Front suspension bush wear — very common on Focus Mk3/3.5
Door lock actuator failure
Buying Tips
Check coolant level with engine cold — even revised blocks can develop issues
Test all four door locks with the remote and manually
Listen for clutch judder when pulling away slowly uphill
The Zetec trim offers the best value; Titanium adds features but costs more to insure
Mileage-Related Concerns
Under 60,000 miles is ideal for a 2017 Focus — this car qualifies
The 1.0 EcoBoost timing belt should be replaced at 100,000 miles or 10 years — factor this into future ownership costs
Common known issues for this vehicle type based on industry data. Individual vehicles may vary.
Top Defect Categories
Failure Rate by Mileage
The Ford Focus has a better MOT pass rate than the national average, failing 17% less often than the average UK car.
Offside front lower suspension arm bush worn but not excessively (5528)
Nearside front brake disc worn, close to legal limit
Offside rear tyre approaching minimum tread depth
Exhaust flexi slightly deteriorated
Offside front lower suspension arm bush worn but not excessively (5528)
Offside rear tyre slightly worn
Offside front lower suspension arm bush has slight play (5528)
No items recorded for this test.
No items recorded for this test.
Nearside front position lamp not working (4.2.1a)
Offside front tyre worn close to legal limit
Offside front tyre worn close to legal limit
No items recorded for this test.
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Dave's Cost Analysis
Dave's Analysis
Running costs for this Focus are reasonable for a 7-year-old petrol car. The 1.0L EcoBoost engine is one of Ford's most efficient, returning around 50-55 mpg in mixed driving. Insurance sits in group 11 — affordable for most drivers. The main cost to budget for is the front suspension work, which will likely need doing within the next 6 months. After that, this should be a relatively cheap car to run.
Money-Saving Tips
Get the suspension quoted at an independent garage rather than a Ford dealer — you could save 40-60% on labour
Consider replacing all four tyres at once from an online tyre fitting service for bulk savings
The 1.0 EcoBoost responds well to steady driving — cruise control on motorways can improve fuel economy by 8-12%
p per mile
£ per year at miles
Based on miles per year. Move the slider to see how mileage affects your costs.
Price vs Market
Overpriced (+8.9%)Market: £7,800
Asking: £8,495
Market Comparables
Avg: £7,800Annual Rate
9.5%
Monthly Loss
£58
Value in 1yr
£7,100
Estimated from market comparables and historical depreciation data for Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost
Projected total cost of ownership including running costs, predicted repairs, and estimated depreciation
12 Months
£2,800 - £4,200
24 Months
£5,200 - £7,800
36 Months
£7,800 - £11,500
48 Months
£10,500 - £15,500
60 Months
£13,500 - £19,800
Assumptions
- 8200
- 52
- 142
Estimated Annual Running Costs
£ - £
Based on miles/year
near
Livestations nearby
£/litre
Cheapest:
Price
GOV.UK Live£/litre
UK national average · GOV.UK Fuel Finder
Fuel Price Estimate: £/litre
Fuel Cost Breakdown
Full Tank
£
L
Half Tank
£
L
Quarter Tank
£
L
Cost per 100 Miles
£
Range per Tank
~ miles
Your Monthly Fuel Spend
Based on miles/year
£/mo
~ fill-ups/month
at £/litre near · stations · UK national average · Estimated · GOV.UK Fuel Finder · L tank
Fuel
Based on 8,200 miles/year at 52 mpg combined
1.0L EcoBoost is very fuel efficient
£1,050 - £1,350
EstimatedRoad Tax (VED)
DVLA
Standard rate for 2017 registered vehicle
£165.00
ExactInsurance
Based on insurance group 10-12
Varies by driver age, location, and history
£450 - £750
EstimatedServicing
Based on Ford service intervals
Annual oil change + inspection
£150 - £250
EstimatedRepairs
Based on current advisories and component age
Higher in year 1 due to suspension work
£200 - £500
EstimatedApproximately £ - £ per month
Fuel Prices Near M1 1AA
LiveAsda Manchester Cheapest
Regent Road, M5 4AX · 1.2 mi
£138.70
Unleaded/litre
Tesco Extra Cheetham Hill
Cheetham Hill Road, M8 8EP · 1.8 mi
£139.90
Unleaded/litre
Sainsbury's Regent Road
Regent Road, M5 4QU · 2.1 mi
£140.90
Unleaded/litre
Esso Mancunian Way
Mancunian Way, M1 5QS · 0.8 mi
£143.90
Unleaded/litre
BP Piccadilly
London Road, M1 2PG · 0.5 mi
£145.90
Unleaded/litre
Data from GOV.UK Fuel Finder · Updated within 30 minutes of price changes
Repair Cost Intelligence
Known Issues for Ford Focus
EcoBoost coolant leak (early models)
MediumSome early 1.0 EcoBoost engines developed coolant leaks. This 2017 model uses the revised block.
£400 – £1200
Door lock actuator failure
LowCommon on Focus Mk3 — doors may not lock or unlock electronically.
£80 – £180
MOT-Flagged Repairs
Front suspension lower arm bush replacement
Flagged in 3 consecutive MOTs
£180 – £350
Front brake disc replacement
Approaching legal limit
£120 – £280
Estimated First Year Repair Budget
£600 – £1200
Includes expected suspension and brake work plus routine servicing
Prioritised by likelihood of causing MOT failure. Fix these items before your next test.
Offside front lower suspension arm bush worn but not excessively (5528)
Nearside front brake disc worn, close to legal limit
Offside rear tyre approaching minimum tread depth
Estimated Pre-MOT Service Cost
Total if all items above are addressed
£250 - £1,550
Costs are typical UK repair estimates. Get quotes from local garages for exact pricing.
Toggle fixes to see how they affect your MOT prediction. All calculations are done in your browser.
Current Fail Risk
29%
After Fixes
Fixed
Cost to Fix Selected Items
This simulator recalculates predictions based on removing individual component risks. Actual results may vary.
Impressed? This is just the costs section.
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Dave's Buyer Brief
Dave's Analysis
This 2017 Ford Focus 1.0L EcoBoost has covered 57,400 miles — below average for its age. MOT history shows a well-maintained vehicle with no structural concerns, but recurring suspension advisories need addressing.
Key Concerns
Front suspension lower arm bushes showing recurring wear — likely needs replacing within 6 months
Brake discs approaching legal limit on nearside front — budget for replacement
First exhaust advisory appeared — monitor but not urgent
Questions to Ask the Seller
- Have the front suspension bushes been inspected or quoted for replacement?
- When were the brake pads and discs last changed?
- Has the car had any work done since the last MOT?
- Are there any service records beyond the MOT history?
- Why is the car being sold?
A solid car with known and manageable issues. Worth buying if the price reflects the upcoming suspension work.
Dave's Negotiation Playbook
Dave's Analysis
Suggested Offer Range
Low
£7,200
High
£7,800
- I've had the MOT history checked and there are recurring suspension advisories going back 3 years — that's going to need doing soon.
- The brake discs are close to the legal limit according to the last MOT. That's another cost I'll need to cover.
- Based on comparable vehicles, the market value for this spec is around £7,500-£8,000.
It's just an advisory, not a failure
True, but it's been flagged 3 years running and getting worse each time — it will become a failure. I'd rather factor that cost in now than be surprised later.
The price is already fair for a Focus this age
For a clean Focus, yes. But comparable ones without suspension issues are selling for the same price, so this one should reflect the repair cost.
- Seller refuses to budge more than 5% from asking price despite documented issues
- New issues discovered at viewing not visible in MOT history
Dave's Inspection Checklist
Dave's Analysis
Lower arm bushes on both sides
Why: Recurring advisory in MOT history — bushes have been flagged as worn 3 times
How: Push down firmly on each front corner and listen for knocking or creaking. Drive over speed bumps slowly and listen.
Red flag: Loud knocking over bumps, uneven tyre wear on front wheels, vague steering feel
Nearside front brake disc thickness and surface
Why: Last MOT noted disc worn close to legal limit
How: Look through the wheel spokes — the disc should be smooth and even. A visible lip on the outer edge means heavy wear.
Red flag: Deep groove or lip on disc edge, pulsing through brake pedal, grinding noise when braking
Underside exhaust condition, particularly joints and flexi
Why: First exhaust advisory appeared at most recent MOT
How: With engine running, walk behind the car and listen for blowing or rattling. Look underneath for rust or holes.
Red flag: Loud exhaust note, visible holes or heavy rust, exhaust smell in cabin
All four tyre tread depths and wear patterns
Why: Two historical tyre wear advisories suggest possible alignment issue
How: Use a 20p coin — insert into the tread grooves. If you can see the outer band of the coin, the tread is too low (below 3mm).
Red flag: Uneven wear across the tyre face (indicates alignment), tread below 3mm, cracks in sidewalls
1.0 EcoBoost coolant level and condition
Why: Early 1.0 EcoBoost engines had coolant loss issues — important to verify
How: Check coolant level with engine cold. Look under the oil cap for mayonnaise-like residue. Check for coolant smell from exhaust.
Red flag: Low coolant level, milky residue under oil cap, sweet smell from exhaust, overheating warning light history
Questions for the Seller
Dave's Analysis
Questions to Ask the Seller
-
Have you had the front suspension looked at? The MOT history shows recurring advisories on the lower arm bushes — has anyone quoted for the repair?
-
When were the brake pads and discs last changed? The nearside front disc is close to the limit.
-
Has the car had any work done since the last MOT? I'd like to know if any of the advisories have been addressed.
-
Do you have service records? The MOT history looks good but service stamps would confirm regular oil changes on the EcoBoost engine.
-
Has the coolant level ever dropped? Early 1.0 EcoBoost engines had issues with coolant loss — important to verify this has been fine.
-
Why are you selling? Understanding the motivation can help gauge urgency and flexibility on price.
-
Has the car been in any accidents? Even minor bumps can cause hidden issues.
Dave's Walk-Away Triggers
Dave's Analysis
Suspension advisory appearing for the 4th consecutive year
highA recurring advisory that keeps coming back without being fixed suggests either the owner is avoiding the repair cost, or the problem is more serious than it appears.
Increasing advisory count over recent tests
mediumThe number of advisories has risen from 1 to 4 over the last three tests. While none are failures yet, the trend suggests the car is accumulating wear faster than it's being maintained.
Price above market average despite known issues
mediumThe asking price of £8,495 is above the market average for this specification with known mechanical advisories. A fair price should reflect the imminent repair costs.
Dave's Insurance Take
Dave's Analysis
Insurance Group
10–12
Est. Annual Premium
£450 – £750
Factors Affecting Your Premium
Ford Focus is one of the most commonly insured cars — competitive premiums
1.0L engine capacity keeps the insurance group low
Age of vehicle (7 years) means lower value and therefore lower premiums
Petrol models are typically cheaper to insure than diesel equivalents
Tips to Reduce Cost
Consider a black box (telematics) policy if you're a younger driver — can save 20-40%
Increasing voluntary excess to £250-£500 can reduce premiums by 10-15%
Adding a named experienced driver can bring costs down significantly
Compare quotes from at least 3 comparison sites — prices vary widely
Insurance estimates based on vehicle type, engine size, and typical UK rates. Individual quotes will vary based on driver age, location, and history.
Dave's Depreciation Outlook
Dave's Analysis
The Ford Focus holds its value reasonably well in the used market. At 7 years old, the steepest depreciation has already occurred. You can expect modest further drops of 8-12% per year from here, making it a sensible buy-and-hold choice.
Annual Depreciation
8–12%
Best Time to Sell
Before the car hits 80,000 miles or 10 years old — whichever comes first. Both milestones trigger sharper value drops in the Focus market.
Value Retention Factors
Depreciation estimates based on vehicle age, mileage, market trends, and typical UK used car values.
Dave's Score Breakdown
Dave's Analysis
**Strengths (+):**
- Consistent mileage pattern averaging ~8,200 miles/year with no anomalies
- Zero structural or corrosion advisories across all tests
- Brake components have been proactively maintained
**Areas of concern (-):**
- Front suspension lower arm bushes have appeared as advisories in 3 of the last 4 tests — this is a recurring pattern
- Tyre wear has been flagged twice, suggesting alignment may need checking
- The exhaust system received its first advisory at the most recent test
**Score breakdown:**
- MOT pass rate: 87.5% (7 of 8 passed first time) → +18 points
- Advisory trend: gradually increasing → -8 points
- Mileage consistency: excellent → +12 points
- Component wear patterns: moderate concern → -6 points
- Overall maintenance quality: good → +10 points
Should You Buy This Car?
This Focus has been well-maintained with consistent mileage and no major failures. There are a couple of recurring advisories around the front suspension bushes that are worth checking at viewing. The exhaust has picked up its first advisory which is worth monitoring. Overall, this is a sensible buy at the right price — but negotiate hard on the suspension work that's clearly needed.
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