Models · Ford
Ford Focus Mk2 buying guide
The second-generation Focus was built from 2004 to 2011 with 1.4 to 2.0 petrol engines and TDCi diesels, plus the five-cylinder ST from 2005, facelifted in 2008. Its common faults are well known and most can be checked at a viewing.
The versions
- 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines, including the 1.6 Ti-VCT
- TDCi diesels
- ST (2005 to 2010): 2.5 five-cylinder turbo petrol, 225hp; facelift in 2008
- The Focus RS Mk2 has its own page
What to check on a Mk2 Focus
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Water leaks into the cabin and boot
What to look for: Feel the carpets in the footwells and by the doors for damp, and sniff for a stale smell. Lift the boot floor and check for water.
Why it matters: Blocked heater bulkhead drains, failed screen or door seals, and leaks at the rear lamps, tailgate seals and hinges can all let water in. Damp in the footwells can also mean a heater leak. Most causes are simple to fix once traced.
Diesel power loss
What to look for: On a diesel, accelerate firmly in a middle gear and check the power builds smoothly. With the bonnet open, look along the intercooler pipes for cracks or oily splits.
Why it matters: The intercooler pipes can crack, which is a common cause of lost power. It's a straightforward fix, but it is sometimes wrongly blamed on the fuel pump or turbo.
ST: a whistle at idle
What to look for: On an ST, let the engine idle with the bonnet open and listen for a whistle. Pull the dipstick out slightly: if the whistle stops, note it. Also check under the oil filler cap for creamy deposits.
Why it matters: A whistle that stops when the dipstick is lifted points to a split diaphragm in the oil filter housing, a known fault reportedly addressed by Ford in 2008. Creamy deposits, a misfire or white smoke on early STs can point to split cylinder liners.
Also in the full guide
- Noise from the rear suspension
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Mk2 Focus
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Ford.