Ford Mustang: what fails at MOT
24,000 MOT tests on the Ford Mustang in 2024, counted. 13.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
13.2% of Ford Mustang tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19%, so the Mustang does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on brakes (2.7% of tests), tyres (2% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (1.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,111 | 11.3% | 10.9% | 12,900 8,500 to 19,800 |
| 2020 | 2,367 | 10.6% | 11.5% | 16,700 10,900 to 24,900 |
| 2019 | 2,566 | 14.8% | 13.4% | 20,000 13,000 to 29,000 |
| 2018 | 4,534 | 11.8% | 15.6% | 27,400 18,200 to 36,900 |
| 2017 | 4,119 | 12.6% | 18.2% | 29,900 20,100 to 40,500 |
| 2016 | 5,150 | 14.8% | 21.3% | 33,300 21,500 to 46,900 |
| 2015 | 596 | 13.4% | 24.4% | 32,700 22,700 to 48,600 |
| 2008 | 382 | 14.4% | 41.5% | 56,300 25,200 to 78,700 |
| 2007 | 514 | 17.3% | 41.5% | 59,200 37,500 to 89,600 |
| 2006 | 523 | 16.4% | 42.4% | 70,400 46,800 to 97,000 |
| 2005 | 571 | 14.2% | 42.2% | 64,000 43,300 to 93,100 |
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 Mustang tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Mustang | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2.7% | 2.8% | |
| Tyres | 2.0% | 3.7% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.6% | 2.3% | Less than most |
| Lights and electrics | 1.4% | 4.1% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 0.9% | 3.0% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.5% | 1.2% | Less than most |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake test1.8%
- Tyre1.4%
- Wipers1.0%
- Handbrake0.9%
- Washers0.6%
- Tyre tread0.5%
- Headlamp aim0.5%
- Ball joint0.5%
- Footbrake0.4%
- Number plates0.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.2%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.0%
- Handbrake: inoperative on one side0.9%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.8%
- Brake test: efficiency less than 50% of the required value0.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.5%
- Ball joint: excessively worn0.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.4%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.3%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.3%
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 edge5.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin1.5%
- Ball joint: has slight play0.7%
- Nail in tyre0.7%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
- Wheel bearings: has slight play0.5%
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
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Ford Mustang'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.