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FORD MONDEO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 13,657 MOT tests from 965 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every FORD MONDEO has the same fault.

FORD MONDEO's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 570/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FORD MONDEO that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the FORD MONDEO.

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Check the reliability of your Ford Mondeo

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Ford Mondeo side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2020783/999Very good78,455 miles1,311 vehicles
Petrol2018762/999Very good81,564 miles775 vehicles
Diesel2017698/999Good81,246 miles7,173 vehicles
Diesel2015641/999Good82,187 miles11,337 vehicles
Petrol2015741/999Very good79,386 miles1,210 vehicles
Petrol2014725/999Very good87,570 miles1,112 vehicles
Diesel2013589/999Above average82,330 miles11,279 vehicles
Petrol2013552/999Above average90,912 miles865 vehicles
Diesel2012530/999Above average83,547 miles12,342 vehicles
Diesel2010462/999Average83,904 miles14,061 vehicles
Petrol2010463/999Average86,240 miles2,159 vehicles
Diesel2009454/999Average83,809 miles14,277 vehicles
Petrol2008456/999Average86,268 miles2,699 vehicles
Diesel2003436/999Average85,856 miles14,655 vehicles
Petrol2003444/999Average85,015 miles8,056 vehicles
Petrol2002453/999Average86,037 miles11,886 vehicles
Diesel2001475/999Average98,539 miles8,794 vehicles
Petrol2000473/999Average88,436 miles23,498 vehicles
Petrol1999566/999Above average99,661 miles5,801 vehicles
Diesel1997594/999Above average125,157 miles1,271 vehicles
Petrol1996612/999Good103,580 miles4,565 vehicles
Diesel1995636/999Good131,500 miles541 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD MONDEO?

Based on 13,657 MOT tests from 965 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

965

MOT tests

13,657

Pass rate

77.8%

Median mileage

111,827 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FORD MONDEO has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 583 out of 999.

Common FORD MONDEO MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 2,252 advisory comments and 423 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 547 advisory comments and 66 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 482 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 462 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 420 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 280 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 140 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 97 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

FORD MONDEO MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
202151788.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
202051989.5%Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
20192413783.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20182718490.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20176656586.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20168473087.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015107114783.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20144557078.4%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
20136285876.8%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
201282120179.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20115587877.2%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20105493777.2%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20095195275.3%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20083670178.5%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20074588775.4%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20064591275.8%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20053579172.9%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20041739273.5%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20031019271.4%Tyre wear, Oil leak
1999511872.9%Suspension arm issues, Corrosion
199767071.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used FORD MONDEO

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Buying a FORD MONDEO?

Common problems tell you what can affect FORD MONDEOs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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