2012 Ford Focus Titanium 1.6 petrol

Summary:

Reliable if looked after!

Faults:

Nothing major. The car has had all services and has been very reliable. Alternator sounding noisy, might change it soon. Had the cam-belt done also.

Have replaced the exhaust pretty much in its entirety, but that is wear and tear for the mileage. Same for brakes.

Suspension parts have probably been the biggest expense, usually something to fix at MOT time, but the current state of the roads in the UK has not helped, hit a few potholes!

Minor electronic issues, a few sensors and a window regulator failed.

Cosmetically the car is in great shape for its age inside and out, though these Focus's do start to rust at this age, as any car would really. Try to keep it clean!

General Comments:

Bloody love this Focus to be honest with you - back in 2018 I just needed a modern car that was nothing special but was at-least decent to drive and reliable. It has delivered on both those expectations! Actually more reliable than my previous Honda Jazz. That was a decent car, but a bit overrated in the reliability department, I had too many issues, strange for Honda. So I had no problems switching to Ford.

Mine is red, not a common color so it stands out. Titanium spec is the one to have, all electrics. Very comfortable interior, great seats, fantastic handling car, perfect driving position. Visibility isn't too bad for a modern car either. Spacious as well. Interior is intelligently designed.

The 1.6 petrol is the engine to have. It's not fast but nippy enough about town. You can get anywhere between 35 - 40 mpg as well taking it on a long drive.

Reasonable costs to run, cheap enough insurance and repairs. I will keep it so long as it keeps going!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 2024

2012 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 petrol

Summary:

Looks sharp, nice to drive, average in all other areas

Faults:

Exhaust, brakes, suspension, all the things that come with age and rising mileage. The car has never given any serious problems though, pretty reliable overall.

General Comments:

My ten year old Focus is nothing special, but has been a reliable and good car to drive the last few years, exactly all I need.

Dark blue and nice alloy wheels, love the looks of this slightly updated 2012 Focus shape, the car is very nice. Inside is the same, despite the silly seat pattern, smart and stylish. Zetec model has enough equipment for most people.

1.6 petrol will get you just over 40 mpg, nippy as well. Probably the best all round engine, out of the smaller units and diesels.

The car handles very nicely. Boot space is OK.

Really hard to say much more about it. Just an epitome of average kinda car. But I like it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd March, 2023

2012 Ford Focus Titanium 1.6 TI-VCT 125

Summary:

Ford - Found On Rubbish Dump, says it all

Faults:

Engine faults - various.

Poor trim quality.

Radio skips channels.

General Comments:

The car looks great and is comfortable.

Fuel consumption should be up to 53 MPG; the best I have had is 35 extended on road journeys, resetting while moving. Round town it's more like 22-25.

Engine fails to start in cold conditions. When running it loses power when it feels like it. Been for multiple repairs; lambda sensors, MAF sensors, EGR etc. 6 repairs later and several weeks of time, and the car was no better.

Radio tunes to whatever it feels like, whenever it feels like.

Dealerships are poor. Ford Customer Resolution Services are hopeless and seem to think they can operate outside their own policy and the law.

Best thing I did was sell the car on 2 months ago, luckily before the snow! Feel sorry for the next owner though!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th February, 2013

11th Feb 2013, 14:10

I wrote the review on the Zetec 125. I'm glad I'm not the only one who found this engine horrific. They also do it in 105 and 85 PS; imagine how bad they are. Apparently the 1.0 turbo 125 is a great drive, but I'm kind of put off Fords at the moment.

7th Sep 2022, 14:29

Diesel? Should be mid 50's mpg at average.

Given the problems you have had, something else is obviously wrong and undoubtedly is also affecting the fuel consumption. All modern diesels do 40 - something minimum even on a bad day, should never be as low as 20 something even in town. Make sure you are calculating the figures accurately yourself and never trust what the trip computer says.