Ford Freedom MOT pass rate and common problems
85.0% of 2,095 Ford Freedom MOT tests pass.
The Freedom passes its MOT 85.0% of the time — well above the average across all Ford models, which sits at 76.4%.
The Ford Freedom passes its MOT 85.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Ford Freedom?
This is the average across every Ford Freedom in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Ford’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 79.0% at 0–3 years compared with 85.8% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 79.0% | 81 | 20,811 miles |
| 3–6 years | 83.7% | 595 | 34,215 miles |
| 6–10 years | 85.8% | 1,416 | 57,774 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Freedom
The most common reason the Ford Freedom fails its MOT is visibility — present in 27.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 27.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 26.3% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Brakes | 26.3% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.0% | Not working |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.7% | System insecure |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.2% | Emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.8% | Webbing significantly weakened |
| Suspension | 6.8% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Steering | 1.7% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 1.0% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Ford Freedom: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Freedom’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 82.1% down to 73.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 27.8% of failed Ford Freedom MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 26.3% of failed Ford Freedom MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 26.3% of failed Ford Freedom MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 20.0% of failed Ford Freedom MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 11.7% of failed Ford Freedom MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.6% of tests at 6–10 years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Ford service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Ford models
- Ford Tourneo Custom 320 Tnium — 86.3% pass rate
- Ford Kuga ST-LN — 95.2% pass rate
- Ford Transit 350 Leader — 88.1% pass rate
- Ford Roller Team — 93.4% pass rate
- Ford Chausson — 95.0% pass rate
- Ford Granada — 86.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Freedom?
- 85.0% of Ford Freedom MOT tests pass, based on 2,095 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Freedom?
- The most common reason the Ford Freedom fails its MOT is visibility — present in 27.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
- What are the common problems with the Ford Freedom?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Freedom are windscreen and wipers; tyres; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Freedom?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: windscreen and wipers; tyres; brakes; lights and electrics; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Ford Freedom's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Ford service history guide for how to check and keep one.