Overview

The Ford Focus Mk3 ticked the hallmarks of a good hatchback when it launched back in 2011. It was a stylish, well-equipped and fun to dive family car that sold in strong numbers and now makes for a popular used car. In fact, choose wisely and a Focus Mk3 will be all the car you could possibly need.

The Ford Focus cemented itself as an institution here in the UK since the Mk1 Focus launched back in 1998. It reshaped the family hatchback game with its tidy handling and sharp styling. As an all-rounder few cars could match the enduring appeal of the Ford Focus Mk3 hatchback.

Whether you’ve a young family and are looking for something inexpensive and safe to run, or you’re after a nimble and engaging hot hatch with a useful degree of practicality, chances are there’s a Focus Mk3 to suit your needs. All of this makes it one of the best used cars for less than £5,000.

Ford Focus Mk3 known faults and common problems

Introduced in the UK in 2011, the third-generation Focus saw Ford really make the grade in terms of quality and dependability. Extremely well made with an expansive model range, the Mk3 Focus continued the reputation of being respected and highly regarded for both fleet and retail owners. Also, like all generations of Focus before it, the Mk3 was – and is – a great steer, making it a real driver’s car.

Despite being priced a notch higher than its predecessor when launched, residuals have weakened following the widespread availability of the fourth-generation Focus on the used car market. Now more affordable and with colossal forecourt choice, the Focus Mk3 is a superb used buy – and that makes it far too good to be considered ‘just’ the default-choice family car.

Own a Ford Focus Mk3? We’d love to hear your experiences in the form of a Parkers owner’s review.

Buying guide

Common issues, and what to look for if you’re looking at getting one.

1 – The dreaded wet belt

Be wary of a 1.0-litre EcoBoost Focus, for the simple reason that the timing belt is lubricated by the engines oil – a wet belt – and that can degrade and eventually perish, which may cause irreparable engine damage. Ford recommends replacing the belt at 10 years or 100,000 miles, most specialists say it’s safer to change it every eight years. Regardless, all Mk3 Focus’ will be at a point where a replacement is recommended. Find one that’s already been done or be ready to fork over at least £1,000 for the work.

2 – EcoBoost engines

EcoBoost 1.0 models (2011–2013) had a quality issue with a small but important plastic coolant pipe known as the Degas hose that became subject to a dealer service recall. Check it’s been modified because if it splits, especially at speed, it can leak and potentially destroy the engine.

3 – Powershift automatic

Early cars featured a dry clutch transmission that was superseded by a more robust and reliable wet clutch type. It’s critical to ensure its three-year fluid and filter change to aid longevity and reliability. Powershift is troublesome and best avoided – the list of common problems ranges from annoying juddering to total clutch failure.

4 – Creaking windscreen

A whisper filtering through the trade regards the bonding of the front screens failing. Listen out for faint crunching or graunching sounds under spirited cornering. Keep your eyes and nostrils open for damp carpets and stale smells. This seems to be affecting cars that have recently had their screen replaced.

5 – Steering checks

 When stationary, twirl the steering wheel from one full lock to another a few times and listen for a clonk or twang noise. You may be looking at a broken front coil spring. Not overly expensive to fix but it’s imperative that they are changed as a matching pair.

6 – Brakes

Generally, the Focus braking system is well up to the job in hand, but there are some really poor-quality aftermarket parts out there. Look out for juddering front discs and grumbling rear pads. Make sure the road test features some high-speed driving to induce the problems – and haggle.

7 – Doors

The doors are a source of multiple issues on the Focus Mk3. Loose bottom door seals are very common where the adhesive fails, leaving them trailing free. This is a potential water ingress point but can be fixed with some adhesive. The door latches developed an issue where locking may only work intermittently which would mean a new set of latches would be required. Squeaks are also common, but lubricant (like WD-40) will sort that out quickly enough.

8 – Wheels and tyres

The Focus can often be misdiagnosed for having a wheel bearing issue. It’s often caused by low quality tyres. If you notice any humming noises below 70mph coming from the back, check the tyre brand or for the inside edge of the rear tyres feeling lumpy or edged. Suspension creeks

9 – Suspension

Some cars can demonstrate a creaking front suspension when traversing speed humps or undulating roads. This tends to be nothing more sinister than dry bushes that a keen DIY owner can cure in minutes. A good bargaining point when closing a deal.

10 – Electrics

Some models can show signs of a charging issue. Sit in the car with the interior light on and engine idling. If the interior light seems to pulsate or flicker when you turn on the headlamps or other high current demand items like the heated screen, it’s showing an early sign of the alternator giving up.

What models and trims can you buy?

This generation of Focus was comparatively paired back against the three and five door hatchback, saloon, estate and folding-metal convertible offerings the Mk2 Focus enjoyed. The Focus Mk3 instead was offered in five-door hatch and estate form only, no bad thing as these offer the best versatility. We’re focusing on the hatchback only for this review.

It’s more than just a humble runabout too. If the range of sensible diesel and frugal petrol engines aren’t to your taste, there are plenty of performance-orientated flavours to choose from. This generation of Ford Focus ST is a cracking hot hatch in both hatchback and estate form, and if you need even more performance, the hyper-fast Ford Focus RS is a hot hatch icon. We’ve covered both versions in separate used reviews. 

This generation Focus was regularly updated to help maintain its appeal. A significant facelift for the Focus was introduced in 2014 with a new bonnet, front wings, bumpers (the front one incorporating a slender new grille) and slimmer headlamps. At the back, LEDs feature in the reshaped lights and there’s a new tailgate design. You get a raft of technology to improve driver safety and ownership experience such as a blindspot indicator, self-parking function and autonomous emergency braking. Some of these features are available as options only while others, depending on the trim level you choose, are standard.

Instead it was a five-door only offering in hatchback and estate forms, with the Vauxhall Astra, Volkswagen Golf – along with its SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia siblings – as well as the Honda Civic, Hyundai i30, being its major rivals.

Over the next few pages, we’ll review each aspect of the Ford Focus Mk3, taking into account its practicality, comfort, fuel economy and performance. If you’re short on time, you can also skip to our verdict page to see if we recommend the Focus Mk3 as a good used car.