Ford Focus ST-3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Focus ST-3 car check
Is the Ford Focus ST-3 reliable? We analysed 992 real MOT tests across 185 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Focus ST-3? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Focus ST-3 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Focus ST-3.
Ford Focus ST-3 — specs & performance
Verified from DVLA & DVSA recordsA snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Ford Focus ST-3 — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.
Engine & Performance
- Engine size
- 2521cc
- Power
- 224 BHP
- 0–62 mph
- 6.8 sec
- Fuel type
- Petrol
Body & Dimensions
- Body type
- Car
- Common colour
- Blue
- Wheel plan
- 2 Axle Rigid Body
Fuel Economy
- Combined
- 30.4 mpg
- Urban
- 20.5 mpg
- Extra-urban
- 41.5 mpg
- Fuel cost / 12k mi
- £3324
Tax & Emissions
- CO2 output
- 224 g/km Band K
- Emission class
- Not Available
- Road tax (12 mo.)
- £325
- Road tax (6 mo.)
- £178.75
Ford Focus ST-3 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Focus ST-3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Focus ST-3 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Focus ST-3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Focus ST-3 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Focus ST-3 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
How Does the Ford Focus ST-3 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus ST-3 THIS CAR | 80.5% | 992 | 93,498 mi | — yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW 330D Xdrive M Sport + ED Auto | 87.8% | 1,126 | 38,667 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Focus ST-3 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Focus ST-3 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford Focus ST-3Should you buy a used Ford Focus ST-3?
The Ford Focus ST-3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.5% across 992 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
A typical Ford Focus ST-3 owner drives around 3,382 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.