Hi, newbie here. 

So we've been looking at buying a used focus. 1.6. Between a 2010 and 2012. 

My question is, at this age, what's the most reliable to go for? Petrol or diesel? 

Should we buy one that's already had cam belt etc done with proof. 

In regards to mileage, what's the max you'd look at buying considering the age?

Seen some wit amazing MOT history. Some have had cam belts done, some haven't. 

Other half wants diesel, I'm open to either. Tbh we don't travel far enough to warrant needing a diesel. I said if meet on the middle and rather than go for a huge engine size, we'd look forward to 1.6s

We need to buy a car in the next couple of days so any advice would be amazing as I feel my heads gojng to pop 😂

Hi your year range you are looking at a late MK2.5 (or early MK3 edited, sorry)

The 1.6 Petrol was available in 100PS and 115PS forms, the 115PS have VVT

Both the 1.6 petrols are a great little car TBH

There can be a lot of issues with the 1.6 Diesel, especially with worn EGR valves and full DPFs at this age, I would steer clear

I would recommend the Titanium as they have good spec

make sure all of the electrics work as they can suffer from water ingress in the GEM (Fusebox)

Other than that, not a lot goes wrong with them

Thank you! 

I've seen a petrol at 105k, fab mot history and (without looking at the ad) I think it's got FSH and only 2 former keepers? I'll have another look now. 

Are cambelts etc an issue on the petrols? 

The Mk3 was released in 2010.  So 2010 to 2012 could be either Mk2.5 or Mk3.  Both very different cars.

The DPF issues of the early Mk2.5's were largely solved from 2009 onwards by fitting a coated DPF instead of the old Eolys additive type.

Most reliable is definitely the 1.6 petrol.  However they cost more to fuel and tax, and are fairly slow in a Focus without much torque, so it depends on what your priorities really are.  Only you can decide that.

The cambelt is overdue on all 1.6 petrol and diesels of that age, so I would expect to see at least one belt change on any of them.  Though there's no harm in buying one without belt history as long as you have it changed yourself as soon as possible.

I'd say 80-120k is about right for mileage on a car of that age, with petrols being at the lower end and diesels at the higher end.

MK3 was March 11 in the UK

As with the Mk 1, the Mk 2.5 lingered on sale quite a while after its successor arrived. There are quite a number on an 11 plate and at the mo there are a couple of 61 plates on Autotrader.

Not really a problem as long as the OP knows which they want and doesn't rely on the registration letter when searching.

I think personally I'd favour a late Mk 2.5 with a good spec over an early Mk 3. None of the 1.6s of that age (petrol or diesel) are exactly a ball of fire as already said, but that doesn't seem to be a requirement here.

3 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

None of the 1.6s of that age (petrol or diesel) are exactly a ball of fire as already said, but that doesn't seem to be a requirement here.

I think the 1.6 EcoBoost was available from launch on Mk3.  Sure I've seen those on 11 plates which would tie in with Dave's March 2011 date.   Sub 9 seconds 0-60 iirc.

And some of those were fireballs, hence the recalls to add a coolant level sensor and dash warning soon after.  

14 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

I think personally I'd favour a late Mk 2.5 with a good spec over an early Mk 3.

Absolutely

Thank you everyone. I'm pretty open minded when it comes to fuel type. I do love my diesels though as we're used to having 2L golf tdis but currently driving a 1.3 suzuki swift (long story, don't ask lol) 

In regards to diesels (just incase we can't find a decent petrol) - we've see 2 we like. Ones got 97k, fab MOT history. 10 plate. The other has 105k, 2 owners from new, it's had the timing belt and water pump changed and a great Mot history. 

 

It's entirely up to you

Just don't expect the Diesels to be trouble free, with that mileage

I'd rather have a petrol now, because we don't travel far enough to warrant needing a diesel. Loved the little swifty, not going to lie. Can i just ask, I know it sounds daft but what's the difference in the steroes? Other half keeps banging on about these.. 

But I don't care... The ones I've seen are more like this... 

I don't know why he's obsessed with the stereo, he won't even have a clue how to work it 😂 and I don't mind pretty basic. We've coped before,we'll cope again I'm sure. 

Top picture is MK3

Bottom picture is MK2

Performance is pretty much identical

Those are two completely different Mk's of Focus.

The top one is a Mk3.  Bottom is a Mk2.  The cars themselves are totally different.

The engines are also different.  1.6 TDCI in Mk2 is 16v.  1.6 TDCI in the Mk3 is 8v.

Thought so, thank you.

I meant audio performance

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

Those are two completely different Mk's of Focus.

The top one is a Mk3.  Bottom is a Mk2.  The cars themselves are totally different.

The engines are also different.  1.6 TDCI in Mk2 is 16v.  1.6 TDCI in the Mk3 is 8v.

Which is the better engine out of the 2?

Just now, DaveT70 said:

I meant audio performance

Sorry, I meant in terms of what mk the belonged to 

I've had all of them, from new and didn't really notice much difference.

The MK3 felt flatter, probably due to the extra weight

The 1.5 was best in the Mk3.5, but they're a lot more money

30 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I think the 1.6 EcoBoost was available from launch on Mk3

Here's a review from Jan 2011. Don't know when they hit UK showrooms, though, especially the 182. I recall having look at one and I have an idea there was some delay with the turbo 1.6s. Hard to believe it's 13 years ago, the Mk 3 has been and gone and the Mk 4 is heading for oblivion soon!😀

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/focus/18132/ford-focus-16-ecoboost-review

7 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

Top picture is MK3

Bottom picture is MK2

 

Just now, Eyeofthetiger said:

Which is the better engine out of the 2?

8 valve is by far the better engine in my opinion.  Uses newer technology turbo and injectors for better performance and efficiency.  And comes with a 6 speed gearbox rather than the 5 speed on the 16v engine.

I had one of each myself - 2008 Mk2 16v Titanium and 2012 Mk3 8v Titanium.  The Mk2 was more comfortable and better looking.  The Mk3 was more efficient, nicer to drive and felt more 'modern'. 

The Mk3 Titanium comes with cruise control and climate control as standard.  But climate in particular was very rare on the Mk2.

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

But climate in particular was very rare on the Mk2.

Very

Late MK2.5 Titaniums had cruise and keyless etc, they were quite well specced

1 minute ago, DaveT70 said:

Late MK2.5 Titaniums had cruise and keyless etc, they were quite well specced

Yes, my late Titanium had those, plus heated seats, as standard but no climate other than as an option. Seemed a bit weird when the contemporary Fiesta Titanium did have climate.

Focus's with 1.6 engines between 2010 and 2012:

Mk2.5:

1.6 petrol 100bhp
1.6 petrol Ti-VCT 115bhp
1.6 TDCi 90bhp
1.6 TDCi 110bhp

 

Mk3:

1.6 Ti-VCT 105bhp
1.6 Ti-VCT 125bhp
1.6 EcoBoost 150bhp
1.6 EcoBoost 180bhp
1.6 TDCi 95bhp
1.6 TDCi 115bhp

 

Trim levels:

Mk2.5:

Style & Studio - Basic
Zetec - Midrange
Titanium - Luxury
Zetec S - Sporty


Mk3:

Edge & Studio - Basic
Zetec - Midrange
Titanium - Luxury
Titanium X - Super Luxury
Zetec S - Sporty

2 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Focus's with 1.6 engines between 2010 and 2012:

You must stop eating car brochures for breakfast, Tom!😀