I ran one (2012 ecoboost titanium) from July 2019 till January this year. Bloody brilliant car. Bought it for £4700 sold out 3.5 years later for £4100. Cost me nothing. Honestly one of the best cars I've ever owned

Even if you use the correct Ford oil in them the belt falls to bits !! Total rubbish engine mate your 100% correct

Having once worked in a Ford dealership I can honestly say I wouldn't have one.

I've owned a 2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0 eco-boost (Titanium - x) from new and it's been the best vehicle I have ever owned in over 45 years of motoring. It's been serviced by the main agents from new and has never had any engine problems. These engines can be problematic, need the correct grade of oil and proper servicing or ... BOOM! This engine will not be reliable run on a £49.99 oil and filter change using a generic 20 -50w re-cycled oil from a back street garage! I know there are a lot of horror stories out there about the eco-boost engine but they are not as bad as the trade keep making out. Treat them right and they are as reliable as any other modern engine. Skip oil changes or use low quality oil, then you will run into major problems with the wet belt etc.

if your taking the sump off please make a vid on it, it would be interesting to how bad the blockage is in gauze.

I've got a 1.5 eco boost (2016). I was told by my mechanic, I should change the oil on it every 5 - 6k miles and NOT the 10mk ford states? Why? Apparently the oil ways are vey small and can get clogged up, he's seen a number of turbo ones go, so that's what I do every 6 months, it gets an oil change, no issues yet. From 4k miles to 32k miles.

Lee, if you are going to retail then change those degas pipes. You can fit the redesigned pipes from the 2014 on model in about 20 minutes to get rid of the T piece that causes a lot of problems (even the recalled ones fail). You need Ford part # 1855418 & 2122838 (will need to double check that). Also check the bottom of the expansion tank, they love to crack. Personally, I would also change that.

Youre 100% right. On my second engine and 3rd pump, belt and tensioner. 2017 focus se. 110k miles.

Always interesting to hear your thought processes as you make your way through a new job, really insightful. I have a 2012 1.6 Zetec with 45k miles and can't bring myself to let it go. It's worth peanuts but still, that's not the point.

i was going to buy one of these a few months ago when i needed a car, there were loads of them, they were cheap, free tax, very economical and cheap to insure. thankfully, i did my research, read the discussions on the ford forums and decided to avoid like the plague.

I have been driving a 2012 Focus Ecoboost for work and it's one of the worst cars I have driven. The 3 cylinder is lumpy and doesn't run well but the worst thing about the car is the poor torque and low gearing. You need 1200 to 1500 revs to pull away and there is absolutely no torque below 1500 revs. If you go round a corner in second gear, the car just doesn't accelerate and you end up either changing down into first or atttacting a queue of cars behind you. Furthermore when you get a misfire or one of the cylinders isn't running properly you lose a third of your power. Finally it has a wet timing belt which is untested technology and the belts are prone to premature deterioration. Steer clear. Get a 4 cylinder focus.

My father in law has given up driving and passed his 2015 ecoboost focus 1.0 to my daughter for a silly price (cheap) as its only on 31000 and only done 4000 after buying it 4 years ago from a Ford dealer. And only a few hundred miles this last year. A independent Ford specialist looks after my mondeo so I asked him for advice first and if he said don't then we were going to sell it on to we buy any car etc. Around £7000 was offered. He also said Ford state 150000. Or 10 years to change the wet belt and oil pump.But he'd just done one with 120000. Which was just in time. But that basically they are a good engine if service schedules are stuck to. Problems arising if they are not. As it has low mileage and the wet belt has been sitting in oil not known to us by a local garage at service 18 months ago, I decided to get the belt changed and the sump and oil pump removed cleaned and replaced if needed. For around £1200 for piece of mind. And keep the service to 10000 miles. You are doing the right thing unlike Ford who should have put a chain in instead of a perishable elastic band.

Hi lee it's john from Gibraltar,this 1.0L eco boost ford focus looks in excellent condition despite these horror stories about their reliability. Good to see that you are going the extra mile in removing the sump inorder to verify there isn't any debri from the wet belt which can potentially cause the engine to fail. Good luck mate.

seems like your strategy to check the sump and sump filter, as well as inspecting the belt is a good strategy to avoid catastrophic failure. That's exactly the first thing I would do if I was to buy one of these.

I know someone who has an eco boost and so far been very reliable. Although they do get serviced regularly and not ragged around on full revs

Good to see you going the extra mile cleaning out the sump gauze on these. At least you are trying to cover your back. £3495 is definitely the right price . In the right colour as well.

Great video Lee m8...Your honesty and Integrity is First Class...The fact you are prepared to service it and do the sump speaks volumes for you as a person and as a business going forward...Well done m8 and I've no doubt u will make a nice profit on it...Looking forward to the follow up video on it when it sells...Top effort buddy 👏🏻👏🏻

I,m a ford man all day long, owned ford thames 1500 e van,/ cortiina 2.3 ghia/,2.0 granada ghia,/sierra saphire cosworth,/st200 mondeo,/2.2 mondeo mk 4 titanium x sport, all great cars, my latest ford is a 2.0 petrol focus S with the feared "ecoshift" twin clutch semi auto 6 speed box, its a 2013 and its a lovely car with full leather and snowflake alloys, i love the sound of the 3 cylinder engines, they sound like a v6 grumble, although they are the cc of a fast motorbike, .service history is a must and avoid high mileage examples, but if your not doing big mileages theire great,.

Iv got a fiesta ecoboost done 60000 miles, i dont think 3 cylinder is enough for heavy cars like focus and the like, but if you dont do loads of miles have it serviced mainly oil change regularly, they are great cars, i had a 16oo 4 cylinder focus before this, nice car especially if need more room, but the ecoboost fiesta beat it hands down for fuel no road tax and power is just as good. its like all motors get good service history have it serviced properly and it should be fine.

Ran a 1.6 eco boost titanium turbo from 2012-2023, brilliant car, only had one problem with the coolant Leak from the cooler pipe to the turbo but I caught that just in time and got it fixed, other than that only your usual servicing, Castrol 5w -30 magnatec

Been running a 1.0 Eco Boost in my 2015 Ford Fiesta since I bought it in 2017. I've had no problems with the engine. Very responsive, reliable and fun to drive. You can't say that about many modern cars these days.

I guess Ford wasn't bothered about whether it would last 10 years. An overall complex design designed to meet all emissions targets and perform well for a short time. Impressive reviews because it's mix of performance and economy is great. When these work well they are good. Like my mini prince engine. N18. So at least it's not the N14. Goes like the clappers and did 47mpg on a long trip. However, not so good for reliability as loads to break and maintain. Parts that are recommended to change at 50k miles like vanos solenoids etc. Again reviewers won't think about this and will award high marks.

I've had my 1.0 ecoboost from 2013 best car I've ever had....brilliant engine

Lee you are a very honest car dealer at the cheaper end of the market.i think you are very good at doing what it takes to give customers a decent car at a fair price ,i would buy a car off you all day long.

Lee, can you do a follow up video of this vehicle when you drop the sump off and let us know what you find?

Hi there I too have a Focus ecoboost. My mechanic told me that the service interval is too high at 10k. I change the oil every 5k and only do this yearly as its my runaround and back up motor. So fresh oil is the trick.

Regardless of the Turbo, never understood why they put a 3 cylinder 1 litre engine in a focus, just too small. Had a 1.6 petrol focus was a great car.

I really like this era of Focus. We have one at work with the 1.6 TDCI econetic. It's not fast but you can't fault it. Really comfortable and good to drive. I have heard horror stories about the 1.0ltr but I'd probably run one. Be better than the diesel because I mainly do short journeys so it would warm up quicker and no DPF. would make sure to look after it through. Most people dont look after cars or drive them brilliantly. Maybe not thrashing it, using good oil and letting the turbo spin down after a run would make reliable.

Great video. If you're going to the trouble of cleaning the sump out, and you want to sell it with peace of mind, isnt it best to do the Wet Belt too if the history is unknown? On the Transits with the stupid Wet Belt, they say (not Ford) do it every 60k miles to be safe.

Great to see your care and consideration for your customers in making sure you are selling the best car you can for a reasonable price. You know and I know a lot of traders would not go that extra mile. Well done sir! Keep up the great videos. Dave Birmingham

I myself wouldn't touch an ecoboost with a thousand foot bargepole as its a timebomb waiting to explode....Mazda have the right idea with their 1.5 and 2.0 skyactive G ..virtually bomb proof with regular oil and filter changes . Timing chain and no turbo to worry about and 4 cylinders for inherent balance and 55mpg

I’ve got a 2013 focus eco boost , stage one remap running around 160 bhp really good no problems.

Can't beat a 1.3 endura for reliability

Fantastic to see you doing the best you can for the future customer Lee,many others could take a leaf out your book instead of thinking about maximum profit.

I wonder how many of these engines were/are shockers. You do hear of lots of horror stories but folk who've had a bad experience tend to be more vocal than those that don't, skewing the perception.

Lee. My wife had a 62 plate titanium focus from new. 19000K on clock. Candy Red suits the focus. Serviced with oil change every 12 months. Full service history. Mint condition runs like a dream. Had to sell for health reasons because it became too low and couldn't get in and out. Bought a SUV. Managed to sell to a friend straight away. Told him about the wet belt issue and gave what I thought was a good reduction of £1300 to get the work done because he is a friend and it was past 10 year gaurantee period for the change by 1 year. Looked on line and thought the reduction meant my friend could even get the work done at at Ford Dealership bearing in mind that I live in the midlands. My friend lives in London and Ford Dealerships were asking more than £2000 to change the belt. He went to the local garage who told him it would be trouble and between that and the estimates he had recieved he flipped it. Can't say I wasn't disappointed because I don't think there was a better one around, it scored 929 out of 999 on the car score history report. Anyway that's his discussion that he's entitled to make. I don't think garages, especially Ford Franchises do anybody any favours with the price they charge to change the wet belt. I contacted you previously and you said you knew a place in Birmingham that could do it for £650. Still a lot of money but much more doable. Problem seems to be that specialist tools are require to do the job and Ford play on the fact.

Had a neighbour who bought one , I asked if he was worried about the reliability issues. He told me the salesman who sold it him said they were designed to have a 10 year shelf life or 100k whichever came first....shocking to hear but as the car was cheap enough and it was a short term investment he did the deal. Anyone buying a high mileage older version of this model is throwing the dice.

8-10years 120k belt change with 2 year 18k servicing on the ecoboost with long life oil I.e Castrol not cheap oil

Id love to see you doing the work on this, looking forward to the next video on this one 👍

Change the timing belt when the sump is off and it’ll be good to go.

Pull the sump off, check the strainer. If it's clear, then service and retail it.

The one litre ecoboost honestly, Not a bad engine at all and with the Turbo it will pin you into your seat, and I don't hear of them going wrong, you just have to be meticulous with maintenance the timing belt likes to shed a little, so you end up having the clean all the shavings out of the oil pickup tube and as a result, you'll also end up going through oil filters, just service those engines every six months and they won't do you wrong whatsoever

Looking forward to seeing the next video Lee😊

An honest car dealer, i'm impressed, wish you was near me lol

You're a very brave man Lee, if you retail this. Mind you, it is a very nice car that appears to have good bones. As long as you can safeguard it as much as possible, it should be ok, and it will definitely sell at that money. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. That statutory period is an awful long time though. However, given the choice between retailing this or an equivalent Citroen of the same vintage, I'd much, much, much rather plump for the Ford, even with that eco-boom under the hood. 10 times out of 10, those bloody French flimsies always, without fail, bite me on the arse. I hate the damn things. Anyway, best of luck fella 👍

Been burnt twice with these awful engines, I would never sell one again. Good luck with it mate. Great video.

We've had one 10 yrs now not a days trouble ever

Great content buddy, looking forward to the progression and seeing the outcome which is going to be even better content. Congratulations on the progress with your business

I bought the exact same focus in black with 30k on it (mine was a 2014) it was a year old when I bought it I had it from 2015 to 2021 serviced it every year other than service and tyres I didn’t spend a penny on it best car I’ve ever owned part ex for another focus ecoboost (2020 st line) again as it stands not a bit of bother🤷🏻

Given the age if there's signs of the belt(s) degrading they should be changed as the interval is recommended as 10 years or 150,000 miles so it's technically overdue. Ford have semi resolved this by changing to a chain in the newer designed ecoboost engines. Your peace of mind will be better if you know the belt has definitely been done/it's in good condition. Another remedy is for Ford to just bring down the recommended service interval on these belts - Audi recommend their belts are changed after 5 years, more expensive and "better" brand but their belts aren't said to last as long.

My only concern retailing it is that ford give a mileage and age to change the belt, so while its under on the mileage its overdue a change by 1 year (150' 000 or 10 years) So you might get your wallet emptied if you dont change the belts (timming and oil pump) and it snaps under your own warrenty.

I just think we'll done mate, you have been up front with what you have found,and What you are going to do to give yourself a clear conscience, enough said,Bill.

had a 17 plate cmax eco boost 80k on the clock and it went boom in winter it burnt coolant smoked like a train then the belt went clogged up and threw a rod

Cam belt should be changed at 10 years or 150000 miles which comes first

I had an eco boost, bought it from carshaft (carcraft) with 25k on the clock. A year later it failed its mot on emissions, took 5 attempts to pass, then the engine light kept coming on and going off, it used a bit off coolant (about 150ml very 2000 miles) and started jumping out of second gear at 40k. Biggest pile of junk I have ever owned, it was cramped in the back, and got rid as I knew it was going to be a problem

Not with a very very long barge pole. Ford dropped a massive clanger with this engine.

Your vlog is absolutely spot on Lee, very interesting and yes I think it’s worth putting on your forecourt, dropping the sump and cleaning the wet belt filter is a superb idea, I’ve just purchased an Ecosport 1 litre 2018 automatic with 15k miles so I just hope it will be ok, good luck to you and take care, Mark from Billericay 😀👍🇬🇧🚗☀️

I had a 12 plate Focus eco boost, had it for 3-4 years and it stopped feeding oil through the engine. Ended up going back to the Zetec engine which I also had in my P reg Mazda 121 when I looked for a replacement and ended up with a 17 plate Fiesta.

A good idea Lee sell a eco boom and see if iit goes okay,

Eco boosts are fairly decent engines provided they aren't ragged about by an 18 year old

You’ve got a Bee in your Bonnet about these EcoBooms Lee 😂

My dad's m8 had one he really liked it until he and 4 m8s went out in it and he really struggled going up hills full but he'd driven up it by himself it was OK he told it back and got a 1:5 diesel

Won't get much more than 34mpg out of one of these during day to day commuting. Had three of these over the years and mpg was way below Ford quoted figures.

Can’t be 100% sure it has had one but it’s got the newer style oil filler cap so may have already had a engine replacement

I had a 67 plate focus estate works car with same engine and it blew up with 91,000 miles on it, it was a lease car however and i didnt find it all that good on petrol myself, bearing in mind i didnt pay for the petrol my company did, but they also had another one exactly the same engine and that blew up as well with 98,000 on the clock, both these cars were leased from brand new. I personally wouldnt buy one myself but can see the appeal if your on a budget, low road tax, etc ! 1.6 litre petrol far better engine for longevity and reliability i would have thought.. Good indepth video though mate 👍

My daughter ran focus ecoboost for 4 years no issues, i made sure correct oil every 12mths so maybe she was lucky or people dnt maintain them properly, who knows?

Your mate in the trade has done you there in my humble opinion, he's miss sold that car stating it was a 1.6

I'm behind you on this particular car going with it's condition and price paid but I'd still be highly wary of them in future, really don't want you getting burned and damaging your hard earned good reputation.

This era of Focus had a recall coolant issues,all of which have been sorted now!I would choose a Focus over a Mazda all day long!They drive better they handle better.Reliable yes but is that the only reason to buy one!Lol🤣

How did you manage that? If it’s one of the early EcoBoost engines, just bin it off. They’re awful and will blow through gaskets like they’re tissues. By far the best Focus engines were the 1.8 and 2.0 petrol Duratecs

I very nearly bought a 2014 Focus 1.6T Ecoboost, put a deposit down but I had my worries. Upon reading up, there were littered with people complaining how they fail and use coolant etc, I spoke to an Ecoboost specialist who told me the cylinder linings crack and let coolant in and upon inspection of the one I nearly bought, it was low on coolant so I got my deposit back and opted for the more trusty Focus 1.6 zetec engine which has been tried and tested for years and years and was told to stick to as it’s far more reliable. I wasn’t going to touch a 1.0 ecoboost at all due to the wet belts. Focus are great cars but upon reading up, I wouldn’t go near a Ecoboost.

In the U.S. a used car dealer will sell a car that they know will likely crap out in a week without a second thought. A friend of mine bought a BMW that lasted two weeks before he had to put in a new engine for $10,000.

Ford's rather 'ambitious' intervals for replacement of the wet belt are 150K miles OR 10 years (whichever comes 1st). So regardless of whether it hasn't yet hit the mileage interval OR if there are any fibres from the wet belt in the sump/oil pick up strainer, the wet belt is already a year past the official milestone for replacement. As a business/used car dealer, retailing a vehicle that is known to be overdue for a replacement timing belt, leaves you vulnerable to future action from the buyer via the Consumer Rights Act. On the basis that if the engine goes boom in the 6 months since it was sold AND the reason was due to the wet belt failing entirely (stripping teeth) OR oil starvation caused by the oil pickup strainer getting blocked by fibres from the wet belt, it's a slam dunk because the 'fault/issue' was clearly present at the point of sale. (As far as the CRA is concerned, the legal onus within the 1st 6 months is on the seller/dealer to prove that the issue wasn't present at the point of sale).

Had a 2016 ecoboost fiesta which I sold a year ago. Didn’t have any engine issues but the rear coil springs and shocks are absolute tat. Very weak. Eats through rear light bulbs, and the exhaust now has a “slight blow” looking at the most recent mot. Nice car to drive but not ultra reliable or anything

Fix Or Repair Daily. Old, but true.

Ah good old eco boom ,nice honest report lee

"Pure power!" 😅 Love your content sir, thank you

All business at the end of the day Lee and you’re in a situation. You can only do your best to make sure you’ve done what you to make sure it’s as a good as can be. It will sell. In terms of buying another one (on purpose) to retail I wouldn’t risk it. Good luck!

Surly it’s made 90k- new wet belt and good to go

I'd do the lottery this week Lee , 1. you must be feeling lucky to retail an ECOBOOM 2. You might need the winnings when it comes back in, in a few months.

I have a 2012 62 plate 1.0 125 Titanium X and I’ve had it 4 years and apart from a dead battery and a fuel leak it hasn’t missed a beat I have it serviced religiously regardless of mileage and I had the belt changed November last year. I don’t believe it’s 150k belt interval I saw 10 years 100k it needed some age related maintenance but what car that 10+ years old doesn’t I don’t think the ecoboost is a bad engine I spoke to the mechanic that did my belt last year at a independent Ford specialist and he said it’s down to owners not maintaining them properly driving like a spanner and modifying them. He said when he dropped the sump on mine there was nothing to speak of on the pickup

What a lovely cruise and a beautiful canal. Sooooo clear. Looks stunning. Best wishes

At least its a manual, the automatic are crap got rid off mine as it kept slipping

Put it up for raffle. 50p a ticket. Good first car for someone

ECO BUST as there are known and i am with you lee any car with a wet belt your asking for trouble I know a chap who works for a farmer and brought 2 new transit vans and both have had engine rebuilds on very low miles not sure which engine they had in

It doesnt look like that coolant hose from the turbo to the coolant resevoir has been replaced with the revised version after the recall, I might be wrong but mine looks different.

Proper honest car dealer, not like that muppet down in Devon with his youtube channel and very dubious raffles...........

What I get from this engine is its probobly a fantastic one to buy new but risky to buy used as you dont know about the belt and what oil has been used. In theory the wet belt isnt bad as it costs a lot to replace but its only every 10 years. But thats if it lasts 10 years and if you buy it used you may be footing the bill early. If they are going to make cars like this I think they should slap a big red warning under the bonnet or something of the exact oil viscocity and specification you have to use and why its more important on this engine lmao

Interesting video, I am on my third Focus 1.0 eco boost. First was a 62 plate tit X, second was a 15 plate Tit navigator and my current one is a 68 plate Tit X. Interestingly the new engines are more refined and the service is two years unlike the first two cars I had with was a yearly service. Clearly Ford has sorted the problems out if they recommend a 2 year service interval. I have never had a pick of bother with any of them and would not hesitate to buy another one. Great to drive, handles superb, decent fuel economy and cheap insurance, what is not to like.

if Ford had put the EcoBoost engine in the Ford KA, it would be called the 'KABOOM!' shame nobody does a chain conversion kit for that engine...

lee one problem you aint a lot of choice now if your looking fiesta focus nearly all 3 cylinder jobs ,polos Ibiza renault the list goes on

Great video mate, worth a risk, I've never actually bought one tho, I've seen a few poor running ones go thru cheap at ABs, as you say be a good seller, fate favours the brave!

I got myself a 2013 Volvo v70 with the first gen ecoboost for only 3.5k eurobucks. The car was sold with a messed up steering column (which fixed itself after driving over a bumpy road lmao), a messed up timing chain which is like a 600 euro fix and a transmission that doesn't like the first gear. The thing drives amazing otherwise

Great video Lee!! But what about that Astra J you have on the back of the pitch, I would like to hear your thoughts on that car

Great video Lee. Is a 2017 eco Boast a risky purchase as well?

They good cars they have 2 ne service on time mate

I nearly bought 1 as i tirned up the oil light was on done some research ended up with the 1.6 tdci 2014 so far so good full service etc hope i made the right choice

That’s the later 1.0 engine, it’s already been replaced,

Great Lee - wish everyone as honest as you. Really looking forward to the workshop part of this sale. Does the 1.25 have same problems?

Did I hear right the car only has a 5 speed box, surprised at that if they are all about economy particular for the motorway, presumably some would have been bought as company cars. See in the video you have an Astra H an Elite model in black, me and the Mrs had a 57 plate 1.9cdti Elite other than EGR valves the car was brilliant and faultless infact only got rid as we had had it 6 years. If I had only kept hold of it another 3 or 4 months I may have got upto £500 sold it the January before the March lockdown was it 2020 anyway loved the Elite.😊