Ford Galaxy: what fails at MOT
82,000 MOT tests on the Ford Galaxy in 2024, counted. 35.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
35.3% of Ford Galaxy tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 29%, so the Galaxy does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (12.6% of tests), suspension (6.9% of tests) and tyres (6% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, tyres and body and structure more often than most cars its age.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,521 | 23.9% | 10.9% | 31,900 21,300 to 50,100 |
| 2020 | 3,117 | 16.7% | 11.5% | 32,900 21,100 to 48,700 |
| 2019 | 3,983 | 21.4% | 13.4% | 50,200 33,600 to 73,800 |
| 2018 | 5,122 | 19.6% | 15.6% | 72,700 45,900 to 120,900 |
| 2017 | 7,136 | 19.3% | 18.2% | 74,300 51,400 to 115,500 |
| 2016 | 6,540 | 19.1% | 21.3% | 86,100 61,600 to 130,000 |
| 2015 | 3,606 | 36.6% | 24.4% | 104,300 70,900 to 149,800 |
| 2014 | 6,191 | 40.2% | 27.7% | 102,500 77,700 to 140,700 |
| 2013 | 5,378 | 41.2% | 30.6% | 111,600 86,700 to 145,900 |
| 2012 | 6,157 | 42.3% | 33.4% | 114,900 89,600 to 146,400 |
| 2011 | 6,012 | 43.0% | 36.1% | 121,500 96,700 to 151,000 |
| 2010 | 5,796 | 43.3% | 38.6% | 128,400 104,700 to 154,600 |
| 2009 | 5,248 | 43.7% | 39.8% | 135,900 111,500 to 164,900 |
| 2008 | 4,813 | 45.6% | 41.5% | 142,300 116,200 to 168,800 |
| 2007 | 4,752 | 48.0% | 41.5% | 146,400 121,700 to 171,900 |
| 2006 | 2,505 | 50.1% | 42.4% | 145,400 119,200 to 170,900 |
| 2005 | 2,029 | 51.0% | 42.2% | 138,500 112,500 to 162,600 |
| 2004 | 1,183 | 52.8% | 42.3% | 138,800 110,200 to 166,000 |
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 Galaxy tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Galaxy | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 12.6% | 8.3% |
| Suspension | 6.9% | 6.8% |
| Tyres More than most | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Brakes | 5.4% | 4.9% |
| Body and structure More than most | 4.5% | 2.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.0% | 3.2% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.5% | 2.3% |
| Steering | 2.1% | 1.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light5.4%
- Seat belt4.3%
- Brake light3.0%
- Brake pads2.5%
- Tyre tread2.4%
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Driveshaft joint2.2%
- Headlamp2.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.1%
- Number plate light1.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working5.2%
- Brake light: not working2.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.9%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin8.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement6.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive5.8%
- Coil spring: corroded4.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.8%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened3.1%
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?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Ford Galaxy's own MOT record
Looking at a Galaxy? Type its registration to 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.