Faults:

Clutch, and Dual Mass Flywheel (expensive).

ABS (just a sensor).

Wet-belt replacement - very expensive.

General Comments:

Good points about this Ford Focus - good looking, fun to drive, modern, economical when it is running right. Interior comfortable. Good amount of space.

Bad points - reliability. This EcoBoost engine is famously terrible. I bought it a couple of years ago before I knew about the stupid wet belt timing belt design. It amazes me how such a stupid design can still make its way into a modern car!

This car is still modern in my opinion and has low mileage yet has cost me more to repair than my last two cars combined in over a decade of motoring!

The Focus is generally a good car, but please if you are thinking of buying one, avoid anything badged "EcoBoost" and get a diesel version or a petrol engine with a normal timing belt design!

Faults:

No major problems in two years. The car has been serviced correctly, and only had wear and tear parts replaced. I needed new brake discs and pads and that's about it.

If I'm being really picky, the air conditioning is not quite as cold as it used to be.

General Comments:

This diesel Ford Focus always does around or over 60 mpg, which is one of the reasons I bought it. It is a very cheap to run car, tax, insurance, repairs and servicing are as cheap as it gets.

It's also actually pretty fun to drive, engine is punchy and is quiet for a diesel. Interior is modern and very comfortable. Zetec model has all I need.

Boot space is huge for a small hatchback.

Cabin is refined and smooth.

Good looking in silver with alloy wheels. Rear windows are tinted.

The perfect car really, if you just want a practical and reliable vehicle.

Faults:

Nothing in my first year or so of ownership, though the previous owner repaired a faulty turbo and fixed a small oil leak according to its history.

General Comments:

This ST-Line Focus looks great in dark grey, I really like this car.

Good to drive, feels quicker than it probably is, also manages 55 mpg + no matter how you drive it! The 1.5 diesel engine is the one to have, I'd avoid the smaller petrol 1.0 Eco boost units, they can be troublesome (neighbor has one and it's never out the repair shop!).

Interior nicely styled, sporty touches here and there, great seats for long journeys. Android auto center dash and controls take a bit of getting used to however.

It's solid, modern, fun to drive and economical; the Focus is pretty much perfect transport for anyone.

Faults:

Nothing but servicing in the one year I have had the car. No one buys a used car expecting it to be perfect, but it is barely 5 years old and a low mileage looked after car, so I would expect nothing less than little to no problems.

General Comments:

Like many of you I have been in a tough financial situation in the last couple of years, and it was time to replace my ageing old high mileage Kia for something better. After looking at all the options (including a reluctant look at electric/hybrid cars) I came to the conclusion after doing the math that a used (but not too old) diesel or petrol powered family hatch is still pretty much the best long term option to go for these days, and likely will remain so into the future, hence the summary title of my review.

The Focus is a fine choice, and the EcoBoost ST-Line is a great model to have. Sharp looks inside and out. Alloy wheels are gorgeous. My car is black and looks stunning. The car performs well, not very fast by any stretch of the imagination, but good enough for daily driving and the car is very economical - cheap tax, insurance, and my mechanic has assured me repair costs will be no more than any car even for any common normally expensive faults. Oh and the fact it does between 50 - 60 mpg and is petrol made me choose this over a diesel, not needed in my opinion. I've heard the diesel can do 70 mpg + but are more expensive to repair, so I'll stick with petrol.

Seats are great looking, are very comfortable and the car handles very nice, much sharper than anything I have driven before. Spacious and well equipped also. Ride is quiet and smooth.

Basically it is the perfect all round car, roomy, economical, reliable and long lasting if you look after it, and really going to be hard to replace it in future. I've got nothing negative to say about it, other than maybe if you are looking for more performance, you should look at the bigger engines.