Ford Mondeo common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Ford Mondeo at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 214,779 UK MOT tests of the Ford Mondeo in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement): recorded on 7.2% of tests of 2001–2003 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 24× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: exhaust system (mounting defective) (5.1×); suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (4.2×); flexible brake hoses (slightly deteriorated) (4.6×). The most common reasons a Ford Mondeo fails its MOT are tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); position lamp (not working).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Ford Mondeo
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Ford Mondeo than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2001–2003 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 7.2% | 0.3% | 24× | 457 |
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 4.6% | 0.9% | 5.1× | 7,663 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2007–2009 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.8% | 2.1% | 4.2× | 11,951 |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | Advisory | 2003–2005 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6.9% | 1.5% | 4.6× | 1,669 |
| Coil spring: corroded | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 8.9% | 3.3% | 2.7× | 6,256 |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 3.3% | 1.1% | 3× | 2,318 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | MOT fail | 2012–2014 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4.1% | 1.6% | 2.6× | 7,903 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 4.1% | 1.2% | 3.4× | 627 |
Ford Mondeo by mileage (2008–2010 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 448 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (12%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (6.9%, 4.6×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 1,748 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (14%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (7%, 3.9×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3,875 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (8.5%, 4.3×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 7,013 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (9.2%, 4.2×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 9,729 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (9.7%, 4.2×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 10,072 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (9.4%, 3.9×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 8,197 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (25%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (9.5%, 4×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 12,458 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (25%) | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened (8.7%, 4.1×) |
Ford Mondeo by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 512 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.1×) |
| 2000 | 863 | Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3×) |
| 2001 | 1,926 | Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3×) |
| 2002 | 2,267 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (24×) |
| 2003 | 2,924 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (21×) |
| 2004 | 4,852 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.6×) |
| 2005 | 7,554 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.3×) |
| 2006 | 8,864 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.6×) |
| 2007 | 14,166 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.3×) |
| 2008 | 17,711 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.2×) |
| 2009 | 17,941 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.6×) |
| 2010 | 17,947 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.3×) |
| 2011 | 14,343 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.8×) |
| 2012 | 16,728 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (5.3×) |
| 2013 | 13,328 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (4.9×) |
| 2014 | 12,114 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.4×) |
| 2015 | 17,817 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.4×) |
| 2016 | 16,484 | Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3×) |
| 2017 | 11,105 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4.7×) |
| 2018 | 7,260 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.2×) |
| 2019 | 4,580 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.8×) |
| 2020 | 2,308 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.1×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Ford Mondeo?
In 214,779 UK MOT tests of the Ford Mondeo in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement): recorded on 7.2% of tests of 2001–2003 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 24× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: exhaust system (mounting defective) (5.1×); suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (4.2×); flexible brake hoses (slightly deteriorated) (4.6×). The most common reasons a Ford Mondeo fails its MOT are tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); position lamp (not working).
Why do Ford Mondeos fail the MOT?
Across 214,779 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Ford Mondeo were tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (3.4% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (2.9% of tests); position lamp (not working) (5.1% of tests).
At what mileage do Ford Mondeo problems start?
The clearest Ford Mondeo-specific issue, pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement), peaks against other cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) on 2001–2003 cars (7.2% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this Ford Mondeo data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 214,779 tests of the Ford Mondeo. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.