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Ford Focus Zetec S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Ford Focus Zetec S car check

Is the Ford Focus Zetec S reliable? We analysed 749 real MOT tests across 181 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 749 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
94.7%
Typical Mileage
58,184mi
Annual Mileage
6,543mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
yrs

The Ford Focus Zetec S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Focus Zetec S.

Specifications

Ford Focus Zetec S — specs & performance

Verified from DVLA & DVSA records

A snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Ford Focus Zetec S — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.

999cc
Engine
125bhp
Power
11sec
0–62 mph
108g/km
CO₂

Engine & Performance

Engine size
999cc
Power
125 BHP
0–62 mph
11 sec
Fuel type
Petrol

Body & Dimensions

Body type
Car
Common colour
Blue
Wheel plan
2 Axle Rigid Body

Fuel Economy

Fuel-economy data not held for this model.

Tax & Emissions

CO2 output
108 g/km Band B
Emission class
Not Available
Road tax (12 mo.)
£20
Road tax (6 mo.)
£N/A
Insurance group
14 of 50
Sources: DVLA vehicle register · VCA emissions data. Specifications reflect a representative Ford Focus Zetec S record and may vary by trim, year and option pack.

Ford Focus Zetec S Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Ford Focus Zetec S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Ford Focus Zetec S Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Ford Focus Zetec S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,591 mi/yr
Typical
6,543 mi/yr
Average
7,106 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,833 mi/yr

Ford Focus Zetec S Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Ford Focus Zetec S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
58,184 mi
75th Percentile
73,200 mi
95th Percentile
107,635 mi
Max Recorded
435,431 mi

How Does the Ford Focus Zetec S Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ford Focus Zetec S THIS CAR 94.7% 749 58,184 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
Mazda 323 Glxi Abs Auto 59.9% 563 87,306 mi 35 yrs

Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Focus Zetec S outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Ford Focus Zetec S you like?

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Should you buy a used Ford Focus Zetec S?

The Ford Focus Zetec S has an overall MOT pass rate of 94.7% across 749 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

A typical Ford Focus Zetec S owner drives around 6,543 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.

Ford Focus Zetec S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ford Focus Zetec S reliable?
Based on 749 MOT tests, the Ford Focus Zetec S has a 94.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Ford Focus Zetec S?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Ford Focus Zetec S do per year?
The typical Ford Focus Zetec S does around 6,543 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ford Focus Zetec S last?
Lifespan data is not yet available for this model.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ford Focus Zetec S?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.