I think they come out of Thailand. You need to be careful with the older ones with the Powershift dual clutch gearbox, they were problematic (the newer ones have conventional autos).

Edit: I've just remembered from when I was looking at them that the ST comes out of Germany (and maybe the RS, it wasn't out then). From what I understand the German models have ISOFix connectors and the Thai built models don't (an important feature for us).

Would need the VIN number to know which factory it was built in.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_factories

If you have a VIN number try entering it at http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do

I have never used the site, but it may give you the info you are looking for.

[Edit: added more information]

meesham:

 

I think they come out of Thailand. You need to be careful with the older ones with the Powershift dual clutch gearbox, they were problematic (the newer ones have conventional autos).

 

Ford are replacing the clutch in the Powershift's even if they're out of warranty. I had mine done on my 2013 Focus a few months ago.

The current gen clutch they're replacing it with is a vast improvement.

They have been manufactured for AsiaPac market in Thailand since 2012

Oh no Im looking at 2003 to 2006ish, about $5k for a low km one.

They have a zetec 2.0l and a 1.8l GL and a 1600cc from what I can make out.

Enter the reg number on carjam.  For example the first listing on TM:

https://carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=BPZ848

Country of origin: Germany

I previously had a 2006 Focus that was made in Germany. At that stage they were all made in Germany but some of the later 1st gen vehicles in NZ (up to 2004) were made in South Africa and I believe some around 2008-2009ish towards the end of the 2nd gen may have come from there as well before they switched to Thailand.

They mostly had a 2.0L Duratec engine (Zetec was just the sport model badge)

sbiddle:

 

I previously had a 2006 Focus that was made in Germany. At that stage they were all made in Germany but some of the later 1st gen vehicles in NZ (up to 2004) were made in South Africa and I believe some around 2008-2009ish towards the end of the 2nd gen may have come from there as well before they switched to Thailand.

 

They mostly had a 2.0L Duratec engine (Zetec was just the sport model badge)

Did it give you many problems? A bit like a rolla they arent a BMW interior, but I dont care, I just want a low cost vehicle for her that doesnt cost the earth to fix if something goes wrong. I can do everything from brake pads to radiators and at a pinch a timing belt, but I dont have tools anymore. A gearbox rebuild is out of my skill set, somethings in life you gotta pay someone else to do, like tiling IMO. 

TeaLeaf:

 

sbiddle:

 

I previously had a 2006 Focus that was made in Germany. At that stage they were all made in Germany but some of the later 1st gen vehicles in NZ (up to 2004) were made in South Africa and I believe some around 2008-2009ish towards the end of the 2nd gen may have come from there as well before they switched to Thailand.

 

They mostly had a 2.0L Duratec engine (Zetec was just the sport model badge)

 

Did it give you many problems? A bit like a rolla they arent a BMW interior, but I dont care, I just want a low cost vehicle for her that doesnt cost the earth to fix if something goes wrong. I can do everything from brake pads to radiators and at a pinch a timing belt, but I dont have tools anymore. A gearbox rebuild is out of my skill set, somethings in life you gotta pay someone else to do, like tiling IMO. 

 

I got mine at 15,000km and sold it at 180,000. Apart from servicing my only costs were a serpentine belt change due to general wear and an alternator which caused me some grief and after getting it repaired twice I got it replaced. Other than that the car was flawless.

Mine was starting to burn a bit of oil which apparently isn't that uncommon at those km's. Most of that era are also chain drive so you don't have to worry about a cam belt either.

It seems every fiesta and focus I look at is either made in Belgium or Germany.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of mention of reliability concerns.

Most I see are manual which is good.

The 170 model seems a little more spritely but still a very Corolla esque finish (i.e. boring as possible).

Still focussing on Corolla and if possible a 2.0 NZ New mazda 3, or a low KM mk 4 golf.

Whilst buying from dealer gives CGA insurance by default, Im finding dealers sell the same vehicles as private from $2-$3k more. When buying a $4500 car, thats a lot, yes something could go wrong, but factoring in that price check, if I have the clutch and head gasket pressure tested on a used car I feel fairly confident. Ive been buying used private cars forever, never bought one from a dealer. I feel their makeup is unwarranted. Sure something could go wrong, but thats the risk you take and I feel $2-3k on a corolla or focus manual, pretty much covers most majors. A VW even if its manual should be ok

I bought my focus 1.6 "Sport" 2006 when in uk with 17,000miles in 2010.

Brought it back to nz, now 46,000 miles.

No issues at all.

Was built in Germany according to the vin number. You can find the factory numbers on the internet. - that's how I found out mine was built in Germany.

Although 1600 cc is struggles on Dunedin hills with a full load, so I wouldn't get it if hills are in the plan.

A.

Yeah hills and 4 adults :-). But usually garaged and 6km round trips once a week is the norm. But going on a family holiday with the oldies from Europe, 300km each leg, 4legs to the journey.

I had a NZ new 2003 Mondeo (built in Belgium) for about 5 years, it was actually one of the more reliable cars I've owned. 

TeaLeaf:

 

Whilst buying from dealer gives CGA insurance by default, Im finding dealers sell the same vehicles as private from $2-$3k more. When buying a $4500 car, thats a lot, yes something could go wrong, but factoring in that price check, if I have the clutch and head gasket pressure tested on a used car I feel fairly confident. Ive been buying used private cars forever, never bought one from a dealer. I feel their makeup is unwarranted. Sure something could go wrong, but thats the risk you take and I feel $2-3k on a corolla or focus manual, pretty much covers most majors. A VW even if its manual should be ok

 

Some of the dealer markups are crazy. I sold my 2006 Focus last year and got $4k on the spot at Turners. Realistically I believed the car was worth probably $4500 or so but I was happy to walk out the door with the money rather than having to deal with time wasters.

At the time there were numerous others both individuals and dealers trying to sell similar era models for anywhere from $7k - $8k. I saw one at a dealer that had done around 150k for $9,999. At least there were a few realists on TradeMe looking in the $4500 - $6000 range.

Worth keeping in mind that in case of any problems, a car dealer has to put them right, so aside from the not insignificant overheads of running a shop, they carry the risk of having to do major repairs on at least some of the cars they sell.