2004 Ford Focus C-Max MOT pass rate: 58.3% (6,997 tests)
Is the 2004 Focus C-Max getting worse?
Pass rate of 2004-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 58.5% -5.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 56.3% -7.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 61.0% -4.2 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2004 Focus C-Max
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 2,896 | 27.7% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2,520 | 24.1% |
| 3 | Brakes | 1,335 | 12.8% |
| 4 | Tyres | 1,039 | 9.9% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 817 | 7.8% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 754 | 7.2% |
All Focus C-Max years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 (this page) | 6,997 | 58.3% | -5.9 pts | 113,029 |
| 2005 | 9,568 | 59.0% | -5.5 pts | 108,987 |
| 2006 | 13,582 | 59.9% | -4.6 pts | 105,124 |
| 2007 | 8,955 | 61.6% | -3.5 pts | 104,098 |
| 2008 | 1,844 | 62.1% | -3.0 pts | 101,375 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2004 Ford Focus C-Max reliable?
2004-registered examples passed 58.3% of their MOT tests (6,997 tests, 2023–2025), -5.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 22 years old with a median 113,029 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2004 Focus C-Max?
The median tested example shows 113,029 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2004 Focus C-Max?
In this cohort petrols pass 59.7% of tests against 56.7% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.