Ford Mondeo: what fails at MOT
263,000 MOT tests on the Ford Mondeo in 2024, counted. 32.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
32.1% of Ford Mondeo tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 31.6%, so the Mondeo is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.6% of tests), suspension (6.9% of tests) and tyres (6% of tests). It fails on tyres 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 | 1,699 | 16.7% | 10.9% | 33,200 20,100 to 55,100 |
| 2020 | 3,452 | 15.2% | 11.5% | 44,200 27,400 to 64,800 |
| 2019 | 6,339 | 13.3% | 13.4% | 54,600 36,000 to 80,600 |
| 2018 | 10,182 | 14.4% | 15.6% | 66,500 45,100 to 92,800 |
| 2017 | 15,468 | 15.7% | 18.2% | 74,600 54,700 to 101,800 |
| 2016 | 22,515 | 18.2% | 21.3% | 84,700 61,600 to 114,100 |
| 2015 | 24,446 | 20.9% | 24.4% | 93,300 67,200 to 123,900 |
| 2014 | 16,216 | 29.9% | 27.7% | 108,300 82,500 to 140,300 |
| 2013 | 17,401 | 32.4% | 30.6% | 118,000 90,500 to 148,700 |
| 2012 | 22,246 | 33.8% | 33.4% | 119,200 92,700 to 150,400 |
| 2011 | 18,502 | 35.5% | 36.1% | 125,900 96,900 to 157,400 |
| 2010 | 22,136 | 39.9% | 38.6% | 127,300 99,800 to 158,000 |
| 2009 | 21,872 | 41.2% | 39.8% | 132,900 105,100 to 161,500 |
| 2008 | 20,945 | 44.1% | 41.5% | 136,600 108,900 to 166,800 |
| 2007 | 16,136 | 45.4% | 41.5% | 130,500 102,700 to 159,900 |
| 2006 | 9,636 | 44.3% | 42.4% | 119,700 92,900 to 147,400 |
| 2005 | 8,176 | 45.4% | 42.2% | 118,800 91,600 to 149,100 |
| 2004 | 5,313 | 46.7% | 42.3% | 117,000 90,000 to 147,900 |
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 Mondeo tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Mondeo | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.6% | 9.3% |
| Suspension | 6.9% | 7.7% |
| Tyres More than most | 6.0% | 4.6% |
| Brakes | 5.6% | 5.5% |
| Body and structure | 3.0% | 3.0% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.8% | 2.6% |
| Steering | 1.7% | 1.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.8%
- Headlamp aim3.1%
- Side light2.6%
- Tyre tread2.4%
- Brake pads2.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.1%
- Headlamp1.6%
- Brake light1.5%
- Exhaust system1.5%
- Washers1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working2.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.9%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.5%
- Brake light: not working1.4%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.2%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.2%
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 edge16.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.0%
- Coil spring: corroded5.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.4%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened4.4%
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
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “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?”
Check a Ford Mondeo's own MOT record
Looking at a Mondeo? 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.