Explore common problems, estimated repair costs and practical checks for the 2015–2018 Ford Focus 1.5 Petrol Automatic Mk3.5. Use this guide to help assess a used car, then unlock a personalised report for the exact vehicle you're considering.
Dropping coolant level, rough cold start, misfire under load, white exhaust smoke, or repeated top-ups with no clear leak.
Start it from cold, let it idle, then drive gently until warm and use moderate acceleration.
£2,500
Coolant level slowly drops, dried coolant marks around the front of the engine, or a hot smell after driving.
Warm the car fully, park it, leave it idling briefly, then switch off and stand near the front of the car.
£700
Damp boot carpet, water in the spare-wheel well, misted windows, musty smell, or wet rear footwell after rain.
Open the boot, lift the floor panel, and feel around the spare-wheel well and side pockets during a viewing.
£400
It can be, but only if the individual car backs it up. For the 2015–2018 Ford Focus 1.5 Petrol Automatic Mk3.5, treat model-level patterns as viewing priorities and let condition, history and inspection evidence decide.
The problem cards above list the model-level checks for this guide. Read them as priorities for inspection and paperwork review, not proof that every example will have those faults.
Look for evidence, not just assurances: MOT advisories, service history, repair invoices, warning lights, fluid leaks, tyre and brake condition, and how the car behaves on a proper test drive. And of course, look at your personalised Should I Buy This Car? report, outlining a full list of common issues in detail, a personalised road test, a plain-English explanation and a MotorIQ score.
The guide above gives you the model-level pattern. A personalised MotorIQ report checks the registration-specific record and turns it into an ownership view before you commit.
Or enter the vehicle manually