Ford Focus Review (2005 to date)

Quick Summary

You're not exactly going out on a limb when buying a used Ford Focus estate, but playing it safe in this instance will net you a very good car. Avoid the gutless 1.4-litre petrol models and aim for a 2.0-litre petrol or a diesel and you shouldn't go far wrong.

Overall:

Models Covered:5dr estate: 1.4, 1.6, 2.0, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 turbo diesel [Studio, LX, Sport, Zetec, Titanium, Ghia])

ESTATE OF THE UNION

An estate variant of an existing family hatch is normally an afterthought, a hastily tacked on styling job that appeals to a market niche that's small and getting smaller. Not so the second generation Ford Focus estate, a model which really appealed to compact estate car customers and potential buyers disillusioned with the image of small MPVs. Offering all the driveability of a Focus hatch with a welcome dose of practicality, this Focus estate scored insofar as it was even reasonably good looking, signally unlike its predecessor. Used examples are now appearing in meaningful numbers and make very decent buys, but just make sure they haven't lived lives that were too tough.
Used Ford Focus for sale

History of the Focus

October 1998 was the point that the whole family hatch market changed. Until that point we'd been happy with cars like Citroën ZXs, Ford Escorts and Peugeot 306s. The Ford Focus changed all that, at a sweep making everything else look dated, clumsy and silly. The estate version of the original car sold reasonably well, although it was clear Ford's heart wasn't really in the job of making small estates sexy.That had to wait until February 2005 when the all new Focus estate was launched. A good deal more conventional in outward appearance to the striking original, some saw this as a sign that Ford had lost their edge when it came to product development, but a short spell behind the wheel would dispel this myth for good. Despite rivals like the Volkswagen Golf and Vauxhall Astra closing the gap, the Focus was still the best value package in its class, the estate version following a few weeks after the launch of the three and five door hatches. Perhaps the only trick that Ford missed was not creating a 2.5-litre ST version of the estate. That would have been quite something.The Focus Estate was facelifted in the latter stages of 2007 with the new front end incorporating the trapezoidal grille and fog lights that had contributed to success on the success of the Mondeo's exterior design. The engine line-up remained largely unaltered although the advanced 1.6-litre Ti-VCT unit was dropped and ESP stability control became standard.
Used Ford Focus for sale

Ford Focus Road Test

There's the usual wide choice of engines - five petrol units plus three TDCi turbo diesels. The big news was Ford's launch of a variable valve timing system for its big selling 1.6-litre variant. As well as a 'conventional' 1.6 that's good for 98bhp, Ford's 1.6-litre Ti-VCT unit produces a peak power of 113bhp and allowed the company to go head to head with the best engines in the class – units produced in this instance by Volkswagen and Renault. The other engine options are a budget 78bhp 1.4-litre and a 143bhp 2.0-litre petrol, plus the three Duratorq TDCi units originally seen in the C-MAX. The first of these is the 108bhp 1.6-litre TDCi powerplant sitting below a 115bhp 1.8-litre unit: the pick of the Focus range is the 134bhp 2.0-litre TDCi. The Focus suspension system remains the best in class and although the second generation's steering doesn't feel quite as communicative as the helm of early cars, it's reassuring at speed and pinpoint accurate. There is a little more rear suspension noise in the estate than the hatch but the difference isn't great.
Used Ford Focus for sale

Buying a Ford Focus

Ford's engines are, on the whole, reliable, so give the car the usual once-over looking for signs of wear and indications of hard fleet, company or rental car use. Worn carpets, and scuffed trim are the usual clues. The 1.4-litre engine is a little underpowered for such a substantial car, so avoid high mileage ex-fleeters with this powerplant.Check that all the electrical items work properly, ensure that the air conditioner delivers chilled air soon after the engine is started and remember that a full service history always helps when selling on, too. Focuses are tough but some will inevitably have been abused so make sure the estate you're looking at hasn't had photocopiers bouncing around the back.
Used Ford Focus for sale

Ford Focus Typical Pricing

Focus estate prices are holding reasonably firm after an initial blip, with a 54 plated 1.6TDCi 90 starting at £8,000 in Studio trim or £9,000 if you prefer the more powerful 110bhp LX model. A 110bhp Ghia will be priced at around £10,000, again for a 54-plated car. Insurance ranges from Group 4 to Group 10.
Used Ford Focus for sale

Ford Focus Parts

(approx based on a Focus 1.6 Estate) This being Ford, parts are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. A clutch assembly will be around £100 and an alternator should be close to £140. Brake pads are around £25 a front set with rear shoes around £45, a replacement headlamp is close to £80 and a manual door mirror should be in the region of £50. A full exhaust is about £200 and a catalyst is about £240. Dampers are around £40 each and a radiator about £100.
Used Ford Focus for sale