Faults:

Brakes and suspension, the usual stuff for age and mileage. Exhaust as well.

Engine seems bullet proof. I looked after the car, mostly (oil changes and belt changes). Has an oil leak now however.

Clutch judders, but not failed yet.

Rust - everywhere. I should have washed and garaged it more.

Flat battery.

General Comments:

Had this Focus a while now. Been a good car, nothing special but has never really let me down, any problems were due to my neglect mostly.

Style model is a pretty basic spec. Get yourself a Zetec or Titanium - they are better equipped models.

The 1.6 petrol engine is not very fast but always does around 37 mpg. Tax and insurance have been reasonable. Repair costs have been OK as well. It's just a Ford after all, a really easy car to live with. Most mechanics have a good knowledge of them.

Nice to drive, quiet around town and OK on the motorways.

Hard to say much more. Just nice basic transport. That is a Ford Focus in a nutshell. But mine won't last much longer. I suspect it will fail its next MOT due to rust. But it is over 15 years old now. Be careful if buying a Focus of this age.

Faults:

Exhaust, wheel bearing, front springs, etc. Wear and tear for age and mileage.

Door seal leaked driver's side.

Cosmetically the car is pretty poor, some rust here and there, plus the alloys are corroded and lose air even with good tyres that aren't punctured.

General Comments:

Average, average and some more average. I like my Focus, it has been a good and reliable enough used car for a few years, but is pretty much the epitome of mediocrity.

Not quite as durable as a Toyota Corolla, but better to drive than a Vauxhall Astra.

Decent interior, comfy seats, Zetec model is mid range. Good looking car in my opinion, shame mine is a bit rough, I would do something about it but at the age and mileage it just isn't worth spending lots on cosmetic repairs.

Good to drive, 1.8 petrol is fast enough and does 35 - 39 mpg. Insurance is OK, but tax is rather expensive.

Overall not bad, never let me down and been cheap enough to run, cannot ask for more from a cheap used car.

Faults:

The car had tons of work before I bought it; according to its history it has had all the usual consumables replaced (brakes, suspension parts, etc) but lately the typical diesel issues have come up, rattly dual mass flywheel and dodgy injectors, car goes into "limp home mode" (engine check light) every now and then. Cosmetically the car is looking rough, but it is 14 years old now.

General Comments:

Bought used as a cheap run about, this probably was a nice car when new, but not now.

The car looks good, mine is the 3 door in grey. Nice alloy wheels, lots of space. Titanium model is well equipped. Seats are comfy.

The car drives OK, engine has average power, only doing 45 mpg though, not the 54 mpg claimed, but this engine has seen better days. 1.8 TDCi is probably not the best choice however.

If you are looking at buying a used Focus as a cheap run around, try a petrol model, more reliable, the problem with this car (and most modern diesels) is that when you get problems they usually cost more than the car is worth to repair, writing it off essentially. So any saving you make on fuel is offset by this.

It is a slightly better looking and better driving car than my old Astra, but that really is the only positive thing I can say about this Focus.