Ford Mondeo MOT pass rate and common problems
73.4% of 284,782 Ford Mondeo MOT tests pass.
At 73.4%, the Mondeo passes slightly less often than the average across all Ford models (76.4%).
The Ford Mondeo passes 73.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Ford Mondeo?
This is the average across every Ford Mondeo 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
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Ford Mondeo tested at 0–3 years pass 88.5% of the time, compared with just 62.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 88.5% | 1,449 | 38,448 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.6% | 17,769 | 61,302 miles |
| 6–10 years | 84.4% | 76,999 | 94,248 miles |
| 10–15 years | 71.0% | 103,828 | 128,137 miles |
| 15+ years | 62.9% | 84,737 | 128,552 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Mondeo
The most common reason the Ford Mondeo fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 54.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 54.2% | Not working |
| Suspension | 43.6% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Brakes | 36.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 29.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 13.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 12.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 7.0% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.9% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Ford Mondeo: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Mondeo’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.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Ford Mondeo comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 84.4% to 71.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 79.6% down to 72.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 54.2% of failed Ford Mondeo MOTs. 26.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.7% at 0–3 years.
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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 43.6% of failed Ford Mondeo MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 28.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 36.9% of failed Ford Mondeo MOTs. 22.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.3% at 0–3 years.
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. Tyres
Recorded in 29.3% of failed Ford Mondeo 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.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 13.8% of failed Ford Mondeo MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.0% of tests at 15+ 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 Focus — 76.3% pass rate
- Ford Transit — 70.8% pass rate
- Ford Kuga — 85.6% pass rate
- Ford Ka — 72.6% pass rate
- Ford Transit Connect — 74.0% pass rate
- Ford Transit Custom — 85.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Mondeo?
- 73.4% of Ford Mondeo MOT tests pass, based on 284,782 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Mondeo?
- The most common reason the Ford Mondeo fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 54.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Ford Mondeo?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Mondeo are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 26.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.7% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Mondeo?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; 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 Mondeo'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.