Ford Focus III 1.0 EcoBoost, 125 PS, 6-speed manual (2012–2014)

Research for this car

• Generation guide Ford Focus Mk3 (2011-2018): known problems and buying guide

  Avoid petrol cars with the dry PowerShift. Then check the EcoBoost cooling recall, power steering, suspension and timing belt history.

• Engine guide Ford 1.0 EcoBoost petrol engine: problems, costs and what to check

  Wet belt, oil pump and coolant hose faults are the known ones. Buy with belt invoices, oil records and no coolant loss.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Look for a power steering warning, and check the steering on full lock.
2. On a manual, test the clutch uphill and under hard acceleration. Ask whether the clutch pressure plate recall work was done.
3. Check the springs, shock absorbers, axle mounts, lights and exhaust. German inspections flag springs, dampers and lights, and exhausts rust with age.
4. Check the starter, alternator, battery and coolant or heater hoses. German sources list these as common breakdown causes.
5. Check the door seals. They can come loose.

From the engine guide

1. Timing belt record (no scanner needed). Ask for a dated invoice with the mileage showing the timing belt was changed. Bad: no record, or a car past about 160,000 km (100,000 miles) or six years with no change.
2. Oil pump belt (no scanner needed). Ask whether the oil pump belt was changed with the timing belt. Bad: no record of it.
3. Oil pressure (test drive). Watch the dashboard on the drive. Bad: an oil pressure warning light, then a loss of power.
4. Coolant (no scanner needed). Check the coolant level when the engine is cold, and look for wet stains around the hoses and the expansion tank. Bad: low coolant, a leak, or a temperature gauge that climbs.
5. Coolant hose action (UK cars built October 2011 to October 2013). Ask for proof the coolant hose field service action was done. Bad: no record.
6. Oil records (workshop). Ask for oil change invoices showing 5W-20 oil to Ford spec WSS-M2C948-B. Ask a workshop to check the oil strainer. Bad: a different spec, or no records.
7. Recall check. Enter the VIN in the official recall check for the car's country. Bad: an open recall on the car.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions