Models · Ford
Ford Focus RS Mk1 buying guide
The first Focus RS was built from 2002 to late 2003, with a turbocharged 2.0 Duratec, a Quaife differential and Brembo brakes, all in Imperial Blue. Of 4,501 made, 2,147 came to the UK, and the known weak points are well documented by specialists.
The versions
- 2.0 Duratec turbo four-cylinder petrol, 212bhp and 229lb ft, Garrett GT2560LS turbo with a water-cooled chargecooler
- Uprated MTX75 five-speed manual, AP Racing clutch and Quaife torque-biasing differential, front-wheel drive
- Brembo four-piston front brakes and 18in OZ wheels
- Phase 2 cars from April 2003: revised engine software and firmer seat bases
What to check on a Mk1 Focus RS
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
The chargecooler pump and reservoir
What to look for: With the engine running, remove the chargecooler reservoir cap and check that water is spraying back into the reservoir. Look at the rubber mounts around the chargecooler for perishing.
Why it matters: The chargecooler cools the air from the turbo with its own water circuit, and it is a common weak spot. No flow means the pump has failed, which reduces performance. The pump is readily available; the RS-specific hoses are harder to find.
Rust hidden behind the sill covers
What to look for: Look underneath at the jacking points and floor pans, and ask whether the plastic sill covers have been off. Then check the wheelarches, the base of the front wings, the door bottoms, door mirror housings and under the tailgate handle.
Why it matters: The steel sills sit behind plastic covers, so a car can look clean but be rotten underneath. Sills can be repaired with modified standard Focus parts, but the wider RS wings and arches have no new panels available and need a skilled welder.
Coolant leaks at the thermostat housing
What to look for: With the engine cold, look around the thermostat housing, the water pump and along the coolant hoses for dried white or coloured crust or wet patches. Check the coolant level.
Why it matters: The thermostat housing is prone to leaking on all cars, and early cars also had weak hose clips that failed to seal. Leaks are straightforward to fix, but it's worth catching them before the engine overheats.
Also in the full guide
- Hesitation and cold-start running
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Mk1 Focus RS
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.