FORD MONDEO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 11,931 MOT tests from 842 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.

FORD MONDEO (example)

Check a Ford Mondeo before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
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Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	783/999Very good	78,455 miles	1,311 vehicles
N/A	N/A	762/999Very good	81,564 miles	775 vehicles
N/A	N/A	741/999Very good	79,386 miles	1,210 vehicles
N/A	N/A	725/999Very good	87,570 miles	1,112 vehicles
N/A	N/A	698/999Good	81,246 miles	7,173 vehicles
N/A	N/A	641/999Good	82,187 miles	11,337 vehicles
N/A	N/A	636/999Good	131,500 miles	541 vehicles
N/A	N/A	612/999Good	103,580 miles	4,565 vehicles
N/A	N/A	594/999Above average	125,157 miles	1,271 vehicles
N/A	N/A	589/999Above average	82,330 miles	11,279 vehicles
N/A	N/A	566/999Above average	99,661 miles	5,801 vehicles
N/A	N/A	552/999Above average	90,912 miles	865 vehicles
N/A	N/A	530/999Above average	83,547 miles	12,342 vehicles
N/A	N/A	475/999Average	98,539 miles	8,794 vehicles
N/A	N/A	473/999Average	88,436 miles	23,498 vehicles
N/A	N/A	463/999Average	86,240 miles	2,159 vehicles
N/A	N/A	462/999Average	83,904 miles	14,061 vehicles
N/A	N/A	456/999Average	86,268 miles	2,699 vehicles
N/A	N/A	454/999Average	83,809 miles	14,277 vehicles
N/A	N/A	453/999Average	86,037 miles	11,886 vehicles
N/A	N/A	444/999Average	85,015 miles	8,056 vehicles
N/A	N/A	436/999Average	85,856 miles	14,655 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD MONDEO?

Based on 11,931 MOT tests from 842 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

842

MOT tests

11,931

Pass rate

77.5%

Median mileage

113,494 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 576 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 2,163 advisory comments and 377 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 472 advisory comments and 60 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 416 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))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 352 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 234 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))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 229 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))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 122 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 92 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.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2021	5	17	88.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	20	117	82.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	19	135	88.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	58	497	85.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	74	643	87.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	89	965	82.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	39	492	78.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	60	835	76.4%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2012	73	1074	79.4%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2011	46	736	76.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	48	838	76.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2009	44	828	75.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008	26	489	78.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2007	42	829	75.2%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006	41	845	75.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	29	651	72.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2004	14	320	73.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	10	192	71.4%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
1999	5	118	72.9%	Suspension arm issues, Corrosion
1997	6	70	71.4%	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.
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.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
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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