Faults:

Tire pressure monitoring sensor issues. Turned out the sensors were faulty - covered under warranty.

The stop start system didn't work when I got the car, but after resetting the battery management system, it seems to be working again (sometimes).

Clutch pedal started sticking half way up just before the 3 month warranty was up (needing pulled up with foot while driving). As this had happened week before Christmas and a week before the 3 month warranty ran out it was a challenge to find a garage to deal with it who would work with the warranty company.

New clutch and slave cylinder fitted as slave cylinder leaking (£1280), pedal still sticking so new master cylinder fitted (£450). Warranty company only covered 50% due to disputes over parts cost, needing to replace the DMF and the hourly labour rate.

Other than that, the car has been fine. The 'service engine now!!' Message has appeared twice, but has gone away when turning the engine off and on. And it has developed an annoying rattle, but it's not mechanical, I suspect its something caught behind the plastic side skirt moulding.

General Comments:

It's a lovely car, the blue paintwork and snowflake alloy wheels set it off nicely. Being a Zetec S model it has a sporty look about it with a lower body kit and spoiler. I bought it for £5.5k, which for a 9 year old Ford Focus with 89k on the clock wasn't too bad.

The dealer refurbished the alloy wheels, and fixed up the scuffed corners on the paintwork. They also put a new timing belt on it and gave it a service.

It turned out to have an almost full Ford service history, so it appears to have been well looked after.

The 120bhp 1.5tdci engine is quite nippy when needed, and has so far been quite economical. The £20 a year road tax and ability to go into ULEZ zones is a bonus too!

It handles well, even with the cheap Chinese all weather tires the dealer put on it. I may treat it to better ones in the summer.

Faults:

Nothing major in two years!

General Comments:

For an eight year old car, this Focus still feels very modern.

Sharp looking exterior. Really like the styling of this generation.

Inside is also nice, a bit too plasticity here and there, but hey it's a Ford.

Seats are comfortable, Titanium model is near top of the range, plenty of electrics. Ride is smooth and quiet for its class.

1.5 diesel provides both good power and economy.

I have had it a couple of years with no issues, what more can I say, it's the perfect all round car if you just want modern affordable transport.

Faults:

Once, when briefly pulling over, there was a fumble relating to stop/start and turning power off completely. When starting up again, the radio volume from 1 upwards emitted an extremely loud crackle, which occurred on each restart attempt throughout the commute to work. It reset later in the day.

The 'tyre pressure check' reminder pops up now and then upon start-up, and continues to do so even when I've done the tyres. It does eventually stop, but I believe it may be triggered by reminders at set times, rather than by pressure sensors.

General Comments:

For background, I posted the review on the 2006 Focus 1.6LX titled, 'Can't Go Wrong With It'. So I have driven all three generation of the Focus, however this is the first I've driven that is high-spec and with a turbo petrol engine.

The gripes I have are generally minor:

The engine struggles below 1500 RPM, at which point when the turbo kicks in.

There is more body roll than with its predecessors, perhaps more understeer, and the steering is light and lacking feel.

The sat nav does an okay job, although the user interface takes getting used to. I still prefer Waze.

The user interface generally on the console is finicky, and there are sections that I once accessed that I have no idea how I did, or how to again. This includes DAB radio stations and tyre pressure checks.

The city auto-braking feature has proven unnecessarily eager on occasion, specifically when approaching the car park barrier at work. It is an annoyance in this case and I would rather disable it, however it is a safety feature, and am confident it would only prove to be as such and not a compromise.

The fuel economy is my biggest gripe: advertised 60 MPG average, yet I get 42-43 all the time. Even though my old Focus 1.6 achieved the claimed 40 MPG, I'm well aware that real world economy hardly ever reaches the manufacturer's claimed figures. However this level is unacceptable, and ranks among the worst of car testers' statistics when comparing real world to claimed figures.

And on the subject of economy, ignore Ford's gear-changer indicator. It would have you changing into 5th around 30mph, labouring the engine and increasing fuel consumption. Ideally keep around 2000 RPM (best economy). General tip: 3rd gear for 30mph, 4th for 40, 5th for 50 etc...

As for the good stuff, well the car as a whole is fantastic. Specifically:

The small engine does a good job. Being a small-capacity turbo-petrol, it has a narrower band to do it's best work within, but what wonderful work it does for its size. It's quiet, smooth and delivers good power and torque.

Despite my remarks about the body roll, steering etc, the handling is typically excellent, very precise. It just means you need to place more trust in the car simply doing what you want it to do, rather than feel it.

Ride quality is much improved, possibly why the car rolls a bit more. Noise levels are much, much better too. I can have a conversation with a passenger at 70mph without shouting.

All in all, still my default choice for a small family car.

Faults:

Gear stick cover loose and constantly pops out.

STNC fails regularly and requires a reset, losing all previous data and pairing.

Recent failure of headlights was disappointing and dangerous.

General Comments:

This could be a lovely car.

Drives well.

The 1.6 diesel is punchy enough for my needs.

It is economical to run.

The level of equipment on my Titanium is superb.

However the build quality and general quality control leaves a lot to be desired. Never had problems with my previous 5 new cars to date; this car at only 3 months old is plagued with defects.