You might think that the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/used-review/n17405"> Audi A3</a> would be completely out of your price range, but a used example is surprisingly affordable. Not only does it have a vastly superior interior, but it also handles well and offers a very efficient range of petrol and diesel engines. Rear passenger space is much better, too.

If maximum practicality is what you’re after, however, the car to go for has to be the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/used-review/n851"> Skoda Octavia</a>. Rivals can’t touch it for boot volume&nbsp;and it puts even some larger&nbsp;executive saloon to shame when it comes to rear leg room.

<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here</a>

<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/ford/focus?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=cashPrice&amp;yearFrom=2019">Find a used Ford Focus with What Car? &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

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What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

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<h3 dir="ltr">Brake pedal hinge bolt</h3>

The brake pedal hinge bolt on early cars built between 19 October 2018 and 8 December 2018 may not be to specification. A lot of the cars affected will have had this recall work carried out before being delivered to their first owners, but check with a Ford dealer before you buy.

<h3 dir="ltr">Petrol particulate filter</h3>

Owners of early cars have noticed a warning message popping up for the particulate filter that’s fitted to 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines suggesting that it’s full. This should be fixed with a trip to the dealer to reprogram the parameters of the system. 

<h3 dir="ltr">Child locks</h3>

There has been a problem with the assembly of the rear door latch assembly on some cars made between 16 April 2018 and 2 August 2018 that could result in the manual child door locks not working correctly. Speak to a Ford dealer about this, because they'll need to inspect the mechanism and replace it if your car is affected by the recall.

<h3 dir="ltr">Front suspension</h3>

Some of the&nbsp;bolts connecting the front suspension on&nbsp;some models manufactured between 22 September 2018 and 10 November 2018 might not have been tightened correctly at the factory. Speak to a Ford dealer about this,&nbsp;because they'll be able look at your car and check the tightness of the bolts if it's affected by this issue.

<h3 dir="ltr">Engine wiring loom</h3>

There have been two recalls relating to a stud on the gearbox damaging the wiring loom to the engine. The first applies to cars made from 21 March 2018 and 7 March 2019, and the second for those built between 31 July 2019 and 4 March 2020. Any affected car will need to be inspected at a Ford dealership to have modifications carried out and repairs to the loom if any damage is found.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Power distribution box (fuse box)</h3>

A problem has been found with the power distribution box fitted to some examples manufactured from 14-16 October 2019 which could cause a number of electrical gremlins. Find out if your car is affected by this because it'll need to have this box replaced if it is.

<h3 dir="ltr">Seat belt anchorage bolts</h3>

The bolts holding the seat belt mechanism to the car body might not be tight enough on a small number of Focus cars built between 7 May and 30 September 2019. If your Ford is affected, it'll need to go to a dealer to have these tightened down.

&nbsp;

The latest Focus went&nbsp;through some early teething troubles. In our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey it finished in 19th place out of 24 cars in the family car class.&nbsp;Ford generally does okay as a brand, so&nbsp;the 27th place finish out of 30&nbsp;manufacturers is a little disappointing. 
 
If you'd&nbsp;like to see the full reliability list, head to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;pages for more information.

Page 3 of 5

Hatchback

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

FOCUS

The Ford Focus is great to drive, with&nbsp;tidy handling and plenty of practicality. It's a good used buy, too.

Used Ford Focus 2018-present

<h3 dir="ltr">MPG</h3>

The 99bhp 1.0-litre&nbsp;is the most efficient petrol engine,&nbsp;with an official figure of 50.4mpg, under the WLTP tests. The 84bhp and 123bhp versions both return 49.6mpg, while the 1.5-litre unit returns 46.3mpg and 44.1mpg in 148bhp and 180bhp forms. The 277bhp Focus ST&nbsp; hot hatch gets&nbsp;34.4mpg.

The 94bhp 1.5-litre diesel offers the highest economy of the range, at 64.2mpg. The more flexible 118bhp version of the same engine is only a little down on this, at 62.8mpg. The 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel should manage to get somewhere near the 57.9mpg claimed figure, but the 187bhp version of this engine offered in the Focus ST drops to 50.4mpg.

<h3 dir="ltr">Road tax (VED)</h3>

Yearly car tax for any Focus model of this generation will be the same flat rate fee for all cars that cost less than £40,000 when new. This is currently £165 a year if you're current-gen Focus was registered before April 2022.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Servicing</h3>

You can spread the cost of servicing your Focus with a service plan you pay for in instalments, or can look into a Ford&nbsp;Essential&nbsp;servicing&nbsp;once your car is four years old. This&nbsp;includes an oil and filter change, pollen filter change and a wash and vacuum-clean&nbsp;for £169.

<h3 dir="ltr">Insurance groups</h3>

The entry-level 1.0-litre Ecoboost&nbsp;Zetec sits in insurance group 11, rising to 15 for the 123bhp version. Both&nbsp;1.5-litre petrols are between groups 16-19, while the hot ST bumps this up to 34. Diesel insurance groups&nbsp;start at 14 for the 1.5-litre, going all the way up to 23 for the 2.0-litre diesel ST and Vignale versions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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The Ford Focus is great to drive, with tidy handling and plenty of practicality. It's a good used buy, too.

Prices for a Ford Focus start at around the £10,000 to £12,000 level for this generation. This will buy you a 1.0-litre 100 Zetec or a 1.5 diesel, with an average mileage for the year. Up the ante to between £13,000 and £15,000 and you'll find a wealth of good 2018 cars, even edging into 2019 models, while £16,000 to £18,000 will net you a 2019 car. Pay slightly more, between £18,000 and £25,000, for a 2020 or 2021 model. This is still a healthy saving on the showroom price of a new Focus. To keep up to date with used prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you're getting the best deal.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-valuation/">Check the value of a used Ford Focus&nbsp;with What Car? Valuations</a>

Find a used Ford Focus for sale <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/ford/focus?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;yearFrom=2018">here</a>

<h3 dir="ltr">Engine</h3>

Unless you need a diesel for long-distance fuel economy, the 123bhp 1.0-litre petrol will suit all your needs in terms of performance and running costs. The 118bhp 1.5-litre is the best diesel option and is reasonably flexible once you’ve got&nbsp;past the turbo lag.

<h3 dir="ltr">Specification</h3>

Studio trim is a bit too basic, and since Titanium&nbsp;doesn’t cost much more than Zetec, we'd suggest you go for the higher-spec model.&nbsp;ST-Line is worth it&nbsp;if you want&nbsp;sportier handling, but ST-Line X is a touch uncomfortable, due to its bigger wheels. Titanium X and Vignale come loaded with luxury features&nbsp;but don't address the rather dowdy interior and therefore don't make the Focus feel a premium as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/used-review/n17405">Audi A3</a>.

Our favourite<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/ford"> Ford</a> Focus: 1.0 125 Ecoboost Titanium

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;

Family

<h3 dir="ltr">Alloy wheels</h3>

ST-Line X and Vignale models have 18in alloy wheels that are more liable to kerb damage, due to having less tyre sidewall. ST-Line X cars get a diamond-cut finish and Vignales&nbsp;a chrome effect that could be more costly to repair than a regular painted finish.

<h3 dir="ltr">Bodywork</h3>

Style and Zetec models miss out on parking sensors, so be on the lookout for dents and scratches to bumpers and bodywork. Make sure the paint finish is uniform; otherwise, it could have been repainted. Check if there's any history of this if you suspect it has.

<h3 dir="ltr">Interior</h3>

Listen out for any squeaks and rattles on the test drive and make sure all the electrics work as they should. This Focus is&nbsp;quite a new model, so any example will&nbsp;still be under warranty if you need to get anything sorted. Make sure the plastics aren’t heavily scuffed on door trims.

If you're looking for information on older models, click here for our used reviews of:

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/used-review/n345">Ford Focus 2011-2018</a>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/estate/used-review/n943">Ford Focus Estate 2011-2018</a>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus-rs/hatchback/used-review/n17887">Ford Focus RS 2016-2018</a>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/used-review/n203">Ford Focus&nbsp;2004-2011</a>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/estate/used-review/n343">Ford Focus Estate 2004-2011</a>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-used-family-cars-for-less-than-pound20000/n17017">Family cars</a> have long been the staple of the used car market, and none more so than the Ford Focus, which&nbsp;has&nbsp;provided sensible, low-cost motoring to millions&nbsp;over the years while still being able to stand out from its rivals by being really nice to drive.

However, there's now a larger threat from the SUV market and competitors with ever more connected technology, which is why this fourth-generation Focus is the most practical iteration yet,&nbsp;comes with lots of extra technology and even offers an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2019-ford-focus-active-review-prices-specs-and-release-date/n18946">SUV-style Active trim</a>.

One of the benefits of the Focus is that there are myriad engine options. If you mostly do urban driving, go for the surprisingly capable 1.0-litre turbo petrol, in either Ecoboost 99bhp&nbsp;or 123bhp&nbsp;guises. Need something with a bit more muscle? Take a look at the 1.5-litre petrol with either 148bhp or 180bhp in ST-Line X form,&nbsp;or the 276bhp 2.3-litre found in the Focus ST hot hatch.&nbsp;Or&nbsp;if you rack up a lot of miles, you should concentrate your search on either the 118bhp 1.5-litre or more brawny 148bhp 2.0-litre&nbsp;diesels.&nbsp;All models get a six-speed manual as standard, and everything other than the 99bhp 1.0 petrol can be had as an&nbsp;automatic.&nbsp;

Studio cars&nbsp;come without an&nbsp;infotainment touchscreen, but the others get an 8.0in system&nbsp;with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/cars-fitted-with-android-auto/n18882">Android Auto</a>. Titanium&nbsp;adds automatic wipers, power-folding mirrors, sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and passenger seat lumbar support.

ST-Line models get sports-inspired trim pieces and sports suspension, but it's the bigger wheels on ST-Line X that contribute to&nbsp;the fidgety ride. Titanium X versions come with a heated steering wheel and an electric driver’s seat, while Vignale cars are loaded up with leather seats, adaptive LED headlights, a Bang &amp; Olufsen stereo and a head-up display.

All the on-road qualities of the previous Focus were carried over, including precise steering, a slick manual gearshift, a positive clutch action and taut body control. The two 1.0-litre Ecoboost engines are smooth and reasonably punchy, but if you regularly carry lots of people or simply want more oomph the more powerful&nbsp;1.5 petrols are worth considering. The&nbsp;1.5-litre (Ecoblue 120) represents the sweet spot of the diesel range, providing a good spread of shove once you get past some&nbsp;initial low-end turbo lag. The 2.0-litre version (Ecoblue 150) doesn't feel that much faster.&nbsp;

The only major departure from the previous Focus under the skin is that 1.5-litre diesel, 1.0-litre petrol and 1.5-litre petrol&nbsp;models have a less sophisticated rear suspension setup than the&nbsp;2.0-litre diesel. This matters little&nbsp;apart from when you hit a mid-corner bump at speed, resulting in&nbsp;a less composed ride.

Space is plentiful in the new Focus in order to compete with the hugely practical<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/used-review/n851"> Skoda Octavia</a>. You’ll have little trouble loading a child’s pushchair in the boot or five carry-on suitcases. Rear leg room is very generous and a noticeable improvement on what went before, although three people across the bench will still be a tight squeeze. Driver and front passenger will have plenty of head and leg room, and there’s standard lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat. You’ll need ST-Line X, Titanium, Titanium X or Vignale trim to also get this for the front passenger, though.

Perhaps the most disappointing part of the Focus is the interior design. Aside from being logically laid out, there isn’t the quality feel you might have hoped for in a car that in some cases costs a similar amount to the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/used-review/n17405"> Audi A3</a> when new. There’s lots of cheap plastic on show, especially on the doors. ST-Line cars improve matters with sportier touches such as red stitching, metal pedals and a different gearknob, while Vignale models have wood grain trim.

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/ford/focus?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=cashPrice&amp;yearFrom=2019">used Focus</a>, or any of the other family cars mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Page 1 of 5

Used Ford Focus 2018-present review

Why the overall winner won

Best small SUV

Best family car

Best small electric car

Best luxury car

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

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You might think that the Audi A3 would be completely out of your price range, but a used example is surprisingly affordable. Not only does it have a vastly superior interior, but it also handles well and offers a very efficient range of petrol and diesel engines. Rear passenger space is much better, too.,If maximum practicality is what you’re after, however, the car to go for has to be the Skoda Octavia. Rivals can’t touch it for boot volume and it puts even some larger executive saloon to shame when it comes to rear leg room.,For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter hereFind a used Ford Focus with What Car? &gt;&gt;Page 5 of 5

Looking for alternatives to the used Ford Focus 2018 - present? The expert What Car? review team guide you through some great options.

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

Used Ford Focus 2018-present review

Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi Zetec Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Ford Focus 1.5 EcoBlue Zetec Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

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