INTERIOR
Neglect will show up in the cabin. Scuffed plastics, tears and holes are a sure sign of unsympathetic owners. But even lowmileage examples have rattles, and the upholstery wasn’t great quality from new – front seats (despite Sparco logos, they’re Ford frames with fancy covers) often look saggy, and the stitching comes undone. The leather steering wheel gets tatty with age, but the Mk1 Focus RS Owners’ Club sources top-notch repairs.
Check the carpets for rips, especially in the rear footwells. Feel for damp in the passenger-side front footwell; if it’s wet, the pollen filter seals are probably leaking, letting in rainwater and potentially leading to corrosion. Ensure the RS over-mats are in place because they’re pricey to replace.
RS spec was pretty sparse (lacking climate control or heated windscreen) but many have simply been retrofitted with ST70 gadgets such as map reading lights and wiper stalk, which adds adjustable intermittent delay. Some also have the ST centre console with cup holders, which needs the carbon fibre surround to be swapped – not always a neat job.
Look out for minor electrical issues such as central locking and electric window motors – they’re shared with other Mk1s, so no big deal. The rear windscreen wiper may be faulty, generally due to wiring or relay problems. The six-disc CD head unit is notoriously fickle, and prone to draining the car’s battery. Aftermarket additions reduce value but increase practicality.