Just got a 57 plate focus titanium 1.8 diesel and been driven just over 55k miles. 

i dont know if its the change in car or if theres something wrong.. but the clutch biting point seems to be pretty high which makes me think the clutch could be on its way out 

any focus owners who can share where the biting point should be or what some signs of a wearing clutch usually are?

thanks

All the Foci we have owned have had high biting points, so I think it is just a Focus thing as opposed to a worn clutch, but of course there would be no way of really telling the difference.

What I'd suggest is getting to around 30MPH going up quite a steep hill, put it in 3rd gear and floor the accelerator.  If the clutch is going to slip then that's when it'll do it.  If it holds in that scenario and presents no juddering when taking off then I'd say you have at least a few thousand miles left.

There's no point replacing it before it starts to show signs of slipping, as it could have years left even if it is getting worn.

1 hour ago, jmurray01 said:

All the Foci we have owned have had high biting points, so I think it is just a Focus thing as opposed to a worn clutch, but of course there would be no way of really telling the difference.

What I'd suggest is getting to around 30MPH going up quite a steep hill, put it in 3rd gear and floor the accelerator.  If the clutch is going to slip then that's when it'll do it.  If it holds in that scenario and presents no juddering when taking off then I'd say you have at least a few thousand miles left.

There's no point replacing it before it starts to show signs of slipping, as it could have years left even if it is getting worn.

i couldnt find a long enough hill to get to 30mph but just tried to move off on a slope in 2nd gear. the car struggled to move and afterwards there was a lingering burning smell. to be fair it was quite a steep hill but ill try you test when i find a slope long enough. 

thanks

30 minutes ago, cmann said:

i couldnt find a long enough hill to get to 30mph but just tried to move off on a slope in 2nd gear. the car struggled to move and afterwards there was a lingering burning smell. to be fair it was quite a steep hill but ill try you test when i find a slope long enough. 

thanks

Another thing you can do is apply the handbrake (providing it holds the car firmly) hold the revs at around 2,000RPM, put it in 2nd gear and then take your foot off the clutch very quickly.  It should jolt forward and stall immediately.  If it doesn't stall as soon as your foot is off the clutch (I.E. if it keeps running whilst in gear but not moving) then it is slipping.

To be honest I don't think you have a major issue at the moment, as it is fairly obvious when a clutch is on its way out.  At worst yours would be in the very early stages of being "worn out".