Ford Fusion: what fails at MOT
56,000 MOT tests on the Ford Fusion in 2024, counted. 41.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
41.3% of Ford Fusion tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 40.8%, so the Fusion is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (17.1% of tests), suspension (9.2% of tests) and brakes (8.3% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 709 | 30.5% | 33.4% | 59,600 41,500 to 78,800 |
| 2011 | 2,601 | 31.6% | 36.1% | 68,200 49,500 to 89,300 |
| 2010 | 6,602 | 37.7% | 38.6% | 71,800 52,400 to 95,000 |
| 2009 | 10,118 | 39.7% | 39.8% | 78,300 57,500 to 102,300 |
| 2008 | 9,545 | 40.6% | 41.5% | 82,800 62,000 to 107,800 |
| 2007 | 8,614 | 41.6% | 41.5% | 88,500 65,400 to 111,500 |
| 2006 | 8,040 | 46.3% | 42.4% | 91,900 69,000 to 116,900 |
| 2005 | 5,241 | 44.2% | 42.2% | 94,400 71,700 to 119,500 |
| 2004 | 4,658 | 45.7% | 42.3% | 96,000 74,000 to 122,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Ford Fusion tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Fusion | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 17.1% | 13.4% | |
| Suspension | 9.2% | 11.1% | |
| Brakes | 8.3% | 7.8% | |
| Body and structure | 4.8% | 5.0% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.7% | 4.5% | |
| Tyres | 4.4% | 4.9% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.5% | 4.1% | |
| Steering | 2.4% | 2.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake light6.8%
- Brake pipes4.0%
- Headlamp aim4.0%
- Side light3.6%
- Rear fog light3.6%
- Headlamp3.1%
- Tyre2.9%
- Wipers2.9%
- Ball joint dust cover2.9%
- Exhaust system1.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake light: not working5.9%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded3.5%
- Rear fog light: not working3.4%
- Side light: not working3.3%
- Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material16.3%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing10.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.2%
- Coil spring: corroded6.5%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive6.1%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread3.9%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases3.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Ford Fusion's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.