MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Ford Focus fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?

The Ford Focus records 7.41 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 8.40 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.99, 95% interval −1.01 to −0.97). It ranks 428 of 746 models on visibility (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on visibility · check a Ford Focus by registration

What exactly fails on visibility?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Ford Focus is “Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view”, recorded 119,527 times in 2019–2024.

Ford Focus: most frequent visibility defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view119,5271.97
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen117,3451.93
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen94,4941.56
Wiper blade defective51,5080.85
Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose32,4140.53

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 6,074,731 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

If a Ford Focus gets a visibility advisory, how often does it fail next time?

11.6% of Ford Focus MOTs with a visibility advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,778 miles later (6,158 advisories followed).

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 6,158 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Other pages for this model

Ford Focus 1998 · Ford Focus 1999 · Ford Focus 2000 · Ford Focus 2001 · Ford Focus 2002 · Ford Focus 2003 · Ford Focus 2004 · Ford Focus 2005 · Ford Focus 2006 · Ford Focus 2007 · Ford Focus 2008 · Ford Focus 2009 · Ford Focus 2010 · Ford Focus 2011 · Ford Focus 2012 · Ford Focus 2013 · Ford Focus 2014 · Ford Focus 2015 · Ford Focus 2016 · Ford Focus 2017 · Ford Focus 2018 · Ford Focus 2019 · Ford Focus 2020 · Ford Focus in Finland · Ford Focus in the Netherlands · Ford Focus in Norway · Ford Focus by postcode area · Ford Focus body, chassis and structure failures · Ford Focus brakes failures · Ford Focus vehicle identification failures · Ford Focus lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Ford Focus noise, emissions and leaks failures · Ford Focus road wheels failures · Ford Focus seat belts and airbags failures · Ford Focus steering failures · Ford Focus suspension failures · Ford Focus tyres failures