Is the Ford Focus ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 986,030 MOT tests, around 69% of Ford Focuses still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 16% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 15%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 69% petrol, 31% diesel. Petrol Focuses are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Diesel Focuses are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 69%
- Likely charged
- 16%
- Depends on the car
- 15%
- MOT tests analysed
- 986,030
Check a specific Focus
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Focus ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Focuses of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant969 tested | Likely compliant482 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant27,307 tested | Likely compliant12,028 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant42,944 tested | Likely compliant13,240 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant37,333 tested | Likely compliant10,672 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant42,162 tested | Likely compliant22,052 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant38,458 tested | Likely compliant25,935 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant41,519 tested | Check exact car34,539 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant41,940 tested | Check exact car34,220 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant41,442 tested | Likely charged34,159 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant40,266 tested | Likely charged30,344 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant41,811 tested | Likely charged25,063 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant40,099 tested | Likely charged18,549 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant47,536 tested | Likely charged14,665 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant41,640 tested | Likely charged12,959 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant40,244 tested | Likely charged8,649 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant30,636 tested | Likely charged5,308 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard24,642 tested | Likely charged3,012 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard18,108 tested | Likely charged1,631 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard13,863 tested | Likely charged1,191 tested |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard11,226 tested | Likely charged867 tested |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard6,695 tested | Likely charged340 tested |
| 2000 | Likely charged3,183 tested | Likely charged150 tested |
| 1999 | Likely charged1,685 tested | Likely charged50 tested |
| 1998 | Likely charged110 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Focus
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (69% of Focuses tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Diesel (31% of Focuses tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Focuses from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (15% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Ford can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Focuses fare at the MOT too: see the Ford Focus MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Ford Focus for London: what the MOT data shows
The Ford Focuses in this data were first registered between 1998 and 2021. 2014 was the most common year, with 76,161 tests (8% of the total), and half were registered in 2013 or later.
Focuses from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 71% of the time, at an average of 72,474 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 60% of the time with 94,982 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Focuses likely to comply are from 2006. 30,636 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 57% of the time and averaged 106,153 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Focuses likely to comply are from 2016. 25,935 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 82% of the time and averaged 58,586 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Focus's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (7.4% of tests); suspension: "fractured or broken" (3.9%); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (3.1%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 18.8% of tests.
Overall, 68% of Focuses passed first time, slightly below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 78,258 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Ford models
About this data
Based on 986,030 first MOT tests of the Ford Focus carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 986,030 MOT tests say about the Ford Focus and London's ULEZ.
Is the Ford Focus ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 69% of Focuses on the road are likely compliant and 16% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Focus years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Focuses first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Focus ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Focuses from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Focus is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your Focus ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.