My 03 Focus has failed emissions 5 times now...same codes as always. It's failed every year, and ive reset and driven and passed. now, fail.

no --- run the fault codes to find the sensor
s problems for the items failing the emissions test

You need a professional scan tool & road test, to
gather data, to find out why some of the 8 Emission
Monitors won't run

Have to do that before you go to inspection, every time

If you fail to check I/M or look at data or do Preventative
Maintenance, your going to fail, possibly

You said nothing was done

That is your answer

You can not just drive a vehicle & not
work on it, several times a year, or know
what the data looks like, or if codes are in
the systems

There is no reset & you do not remove a battery cable

If you remove power,you just clear all memory & info,
you need to diagnose the vehicle & then the Monitors
have to run again

You could loose a few days before they run again by
doing that

If monitors do not run clear, then your statement about
no running issues, is not true & you could be ruining
your exhaust converter

the computer meters fuel based on a signal from the coolant temperature sensor. The check engine light sometimes does not come on when the sensor fails.If the sensor is causing your problem you will have a strong odor of gasoline when the car starts,It will be slow to start the first time, turn it off and it will start right up. lol

Clearing Codes, clears all data, then all the emission
monitors have to run again, or you won't be excepted
to inspection

Clearing codes & data,has nothing to do with diagnosing
why you got the fault codes & fixing the problems

How would clearing a dash light help pass inspection?

Before you got down the street two houses, the light would
be back,the car has a failed system ,thus the light on the
dash after the motor is started.

You cleared all data,now a shop can't even work on it
You removed all vehicle history & codes

Flat bed it to a shop & they will make the repairs you neglected
to do, while trying to get hundred miles before the parameters
on a failed system went out of range & the dash light came back

Need to study OBD 2 Systems on the internet & leave the vehicle
work to the pros

First step is to have the code or codes read.If the "check engine light" is on there will be a reason and should be a code or codes to be read.Once you have the codes,you can determine the correction needed to get that "check engine light" out and a valid emissions test completed.Get back to us with the codes found.

Probably not a cheap fix.
The car will not pass the test if the light is on during the test.
The light is on when the computer has a problem that will affect emissions or performance.
You would need to have the computer scanned for trouble codes then fix the problem. Once the problem is fixed and the code is erased, the light should stay off.

if you are failing emmissions test your evaporator canister is expired replace it and then you and your car will get a green light

What does "not ready" mean?

A service technician will turn off the dashboard "check engine" light after most repairs. This resets the vehicle's emission system components to "not ready". The status remains "not ready" until the vehicle's computer has had adequate time to review the repaired component. This happens after the vehicle is driven for a period of time established by the manufacturer.

If the vehicle's emissions system status is "not ready" when it is presented at the E-Check station during the initial test cycle, a tailpipe emissions test may be conducted. If the vehicle is transferred to another test type, the vehicle must remain on the different test track until the vehicle passes the emissions test or receives a waiver. For example, if the vehicle undergoes an OBD II test and fails, it cannot be downgraded to a tailpipe test on a re-test; the vehicle must pass the OBD II test.

For initial and subsequent tests, if a dashboard light is on when the vehicle is presented at the E-Check station, the vehicle will fail the test.

How can the vehicle status be made ready?

When a vehicle is driven through its normal drive cycle, the computer reviews the emission control
system and if the vehicle was properly repaired, the system resets itself to ready. A normal drive
cycle includes operation at both cruising speeds and in stop-and-go traffic for up to a couple
weeks. This process should be followed before bringing the vehicle in to be tested.

the EGR vavle needs tested and cleaned or replaced

Nope, you just need more miles. When the car's computer has been disconnected from power (such as when the battery is unhooked), it'll set what are called "readiness codes" when power is reapplied. It takes a certain number of miles to clear these - some cars require 50 miles, some 100 miles, and some (such as some Isuzu models) need very specific drive cycles to clear them. Once the requisite number of miles have been driven without issues, the readiness codes will extinguish and your car should pass.