Item: Used Ford Focus 1998 - 2004
Rating: 5
Author: What Car? Team

The Focus and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW Golf</a> have long been protagonists, with the Ford unquestionably the sharper drive and better equipped as standard, but trailing the Volkswagen on badge appeal and build quality.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/astra/hatchback/review/n17347">Vauxhall Astra</a> will do everything the Ford Focus does, only with a little less verve, while looking a lot dowdier. It’ll be as cheap to buy and run, though, and the interior should wear a bit better than the Ford's.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/nissan">Nissan</a>’s Almera might lack the good looks of its Ford Focus rival, but it’s more engaging to drive than its amorphous lines would lead you to believe, and should better the Ford for reliability.

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What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

Age is the Focus’s biggest problem, with many falling into disrepair as they become uneconomical to maintain. A cambelt change can cost you as much the entire car is worth, which is why many owners take the risk and don’t bother having the work done.

If the engine light comes on with a 'code 420' then the catalytic convertor has gone. and again it’s likely to be cheaper to throw away the car and buy another one on all but the nicest, lowest mileage examples.

Electronic items are prone to failing, so don’t ignore any warning lights. Water ingress in the head and tail lights is also common and can lead to blown bulbs.

Quickclear windscreen elements are known to fail, so put an ice scraper in the glovebox for the winter.

No less so than most cars of this age and price point. Usefully, there are many hundreds of thousands of them around, and pretty much every garage will be knowledgeable about them.

They’re relatively simple to work on, too, while good parts supply, both new and used, means you shouldn’t ever have trouble getting service items.

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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 original Ford Focus was a clean sheet design and it shows: it's an excellent buy, assuming you can still find a good one.

Used Ford Focus 1998 - 2004

Servicing should cost around £200 a year, insurance will be inexpensive and fuel economy decent.

Obviously the diesels offer the best fuel economy, but the petrol models should get into the 30mpg realm relatively easily - unless you buy an automatic, that is.

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The original Ford Focus was a clean sheet design and it shows: it's an excellent buy, assuming you can still find a good one.

You really can buy a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ford">Ford</a> Focus for less than you paid for the phone in your pocket, with the tattiest, highest mileage examples starting at just a few hundred pounds. We’d recommend spending a bit more, though, because cars at that price have the potential to bring plenty of repair bills.

You’re unlikely to have to pay more than £2000 for any first-generation Focus, with the exceptions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus-rs/hatchback/review/n17148">RS</a> and particularly nice ST170s.

Any of the mainstream models above £1500 should be the very best: low mileage, full history cars with meticulous owners. Estates don’t cost any more on the used market, nor is there any difference between three and five-door models.

The 1.4-litre petrol model will be adequate if you’re not intent on any out of town journeys, but the 98bhp 1.6 and 113bhp 1.8 are better all-rounders.

The early TDdi diesel used an old engine, and its 88bhp output made it fairly pedestrian performance-wise; the later 1.8 TDCi upped the output to either 98bhp or 113bhp.

The massive range of trim options can be bewildering; LX, Zetec and Ghia versions all come with useful equipment, while CL, Flight and Studio cars are best avoided.

Plenty of special editions were offered, including Silver, Millennium, MP3, Elle, Chic, Ebony, Ink, Black and more besides, but none are worth paying any extra for.

The standalone ST170 is an enjoyable, rev-happy warm hatch, while the 215bhp RS is a specialist model for those wanting hardcore thrills – and it's priced accordingly. Indeed, it’s an appreciating classic, with the very best examples costing more than £20,000; it was priced at £19,995 when new.

Our favourite used Ford Focus: 1.6 Zetec

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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

Compared to the current family hatchback offerings, the original Ford Focus is a relatively simple car, meaning there’s less to go wrong.

Any recall work should have been done by now. So, buy on condition and service history: if it looks like it’s been cherished then it probably has been. Ask for its service book, and check that it’s fully stamped up.

Less owners and lower mileage always count in a used car’s favour and that’s particularly true of something so inexpensive as a used Focus.

Check around the sills for signs of corrosion, and ask when the the cambelt was last changed. Some say it should be done every 100,000 miles or ten years, but many specialists recommend the cambelt is changed more frequently than that, particularly in the diesels. If it fails it could well cause expensive engine damage.

The edgy Ford Focus caused a sensation when it arrived in showrooms in 1998, and for good reason. Stand-out looks brought it instant kerb appeal, though it was the whole package that impressed.

The ride and handling were praised from the outset, and these fine driving dynamics were not limited to the range-topping or sportiest examples; all <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a> models steered sharply and were agile and fun.

The interior took its influence from the bold exterior styling, although it hasn’t aged as well and is a bit extrovert for some.

On the other hand, the driving position and the location of all the controls was very well considered, and space is good.

Being a huge seller, the Focus was offered to suit all budgets, from 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol options right up to a fast, engaging RS model, while a 1.8 diesel was available for high mileage users.

Three and five-door versions were offered, as was an estate and a saloon (rare in the UK), and all were pretty well equipped for the time.

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Used Ford Focus 1998 - 2004 review

Every 2021 Electric and Hybrid Car Awards winner

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Ford Focus hatchback?