Used Ford Focus CV Joints

CV joints exist on all Ford Focus variants because the Focus has always been a front-wheel-drive car, and CV joints are a fundamental part of how drive is transmitted from the gearbox to the front wheels on any front-wheel-drive vehicle. Every Focus from the Mk1 (1998–2004) through to current models has them on both the nearside (NS) and offside (OS) front driveshafts. A small number of Focus models were offered with all-wheel drive (Focus RS Mk3 and Focus Active), and those additionally have CV joints in the rear driveshafts too.

These sit in different generations — the Mk2 ran from 2004 to 2011 and the Mk3 from 2011 to 2018 — so a 2008 part comes from the Mk2 and a 2012 part from the Mk3, making them from entirely separate platforms. CV joints are not expected to interchange across this generational boundary, so always source a part that matches your car's generation. Confirm the exact part number against your registration with the breaker before buying.

Trim level alone does not affect CV joint fitment on the Focus — a Zetec, Titanium, or ST-Line on the same generation and with the same engine size will use the same CV joints. What does matter is engine size, as larger or more powerful engines can place greater demands on driveshaft components, so always match the engine as well as the generation. The NS and OS joints are also different from each other, so make sure you specify which side you need when contacting a breaker.

The Mk3 Focus facelift arrived in 2014 and brought styling and interior changes rather than a new platform, so CV joints from either side of that facelift boundary may well be compatible — but this is not guaranteed. Engine variants remained largely consistent across the Mk3 generation, which is a good sign, but there can be subtle driveshaft differences depending on engine and gearbox combination. Confirm fitment against your exact registration with the breaker rather than assuming pre- and post-facelift parts are interchangeable.

The Focus RS sits on the same basic platform as the wider Focus range for its generation, but its significantly higher power output means its driveshafts and CV joints are uprated and are not the same as those on standard Focus models. The Mk3 RS (2016–2018) is also all-wheel drive, meaning it has rear CV joints in addition to front ones, which standard Focus models do not have. Always source CV joints specifically listed for the Focus RS and confirm against your registration with the breaker.

Yes — the NS (nearside, left-hand side as you sit in the car) and OS (offside, right-hand side) CV joints are different parts and are not interchangeable. On the Focus, the two driveshafts are often different lengths because of where the gearbox sits in the engine bay, which affects the joint design. Always tell the breaker clearly which side you need, and confirm fitment against your registration to make sure you get the correct part.