Used Ford Focus 2004 - 2011 review

With the introduction of the second-generation Focus, Ford’s family hatchback matured into a car with less divisive styling, a more conventional interior and greater space.

Despite its less dramatic lines, the Focus held onto its position as the most appealing car to drive in this hotly contested marketplace.

True, the trade-off is a slightly busy low-speed ride, but the Focus never actually feels uncomfortable.

Space is good for all passengers, the driving position in particular offering plentiful adjustment to allow all shapes and sizes of driver to get comfortable. However, while the boot is well shaped, it’s a little on the small side.

A sum of £1200 will buy you a second-generation Ford Focus and you’ll not be short of choice.

Spend a bit more, though, and look out for a cherished example. It is still possible to find well maintained one-owner versions even near the entry point of used Focus pricing.

If you want to minimise day-to-day running costs, then the fuel economy of the diesels makes sense. However, they are also likely to cost more in servicing, and the high pressure injection and turbos are potentially expensive failures as the Focus ages.

Petrol engines are simpler, and easier to work on, and should be less prone to failure of expensive parts.

Most servicing prices are cheap, though, and any local garage should be able to work on your Focus.

Other running costs will be no problem. You should see at least 40mpg from any of the petrol engines; our favourite petrol, the 113bhp 1.6, returns an official average of 43.8mpg, while the 1.6 diesel gives 65.6mpg.

Service and repair costs are low, and figures from warranty provider Warranty Direct show that, in the independent sector, Ford maintenance rates are among the lowest.

Similarly, insurance costs are perfectly acceptable, and on a par with those for the Focus's rivals.

The Focus line-up is expansive, with a version to suit almost every budget and expectation.

Lower mileage, predominantly town drivers will find the 99bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine adequate, but the 1.6 TDCi diesel delivers better economy and a more relaxed drive at motorway speeds.

The 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engines looked needlessly expensive when new, as did the bigger diesel offerings, but don’t rule any of them out as a used buy.

The spec levels follow Ford’s normal naming strategy, with Studio, LX, Style, Zetec, Ghia, Titanium and Sport models available. Ford also periodically added special edition cars with additional equipment into the mix.

Zetec models offer the best mix of useful equipment and affordability, although early examples of the Zetec did without air-conditioning, so you’ll need a Zetec Climate if you want chilled air; it became standard in 2007.

The sporty ST joined the line-up in 2006, powered by a 222bhp five-cylinder turbocharged 2.5-litre engine borrowed from Volvo. It’s a fun range-topper, but isn’t quite as polished as its Volkswagen Golf GTI or Honda Civic Type R rivals. The ST is a cheap used buy, though, if you can live with the extra fuel consumption that its performance brings.

Our favourite used Ford Focus: 1.6 TDCi Zetec

The VW Golf outguns the Focus on badge appeal, comfort and interior quality, but the Focus driver will be having more fun from behind the wheel and will have more money in their pocket, too.

A Vauxhall Astra might appeal to the head, but it’ll not do so to the heart in the same way the Focus will. It’s a worthy, if dull rival, though similarly cheap to buy and run.

Seat's Leon offers all the Volkswagen Golf’s mechanical bits with some more dramatic style, making it a desirable alternative to the Ford Focus.

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