I've recently seen quite a few Focus facelift models (2001 on) with quite a bit of rust on the sills, rear wheel arches and the supporting piece of the rear trailing arms.

Therefore if you own a Focus (and especially a late Mk1), I suggest you take the front and rear inner wheel liners off and clean and dry out the area behind. You might wanna get rid out of the insulation foam liner behind aswell as that acts just like a sponge, keeping the A pillar and front sill area wet at nearly all times. That's also the reason why the front rings seem to rot extremely badly at the bottom.

Also, be sure the waxoil the inner and outer sill (inside and out) and put a protective layer around the rear trailing arm support.


Rotten front wing due to stupid "sponge" behind front wheel liner




Superficial rust on sill



Rear trailing arm support (being treated with rust converter)