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FORD MUSTANG Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 868 MOT tests from 121 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 MUSTANG has the same fault.

FORD MUSTANG's have a extremely good reliability rating of 760/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FORD MUSTANG 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 MUSTANG.

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Check a Ford Mustang 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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  • 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
N/AN/A806/999Excellent101,328 miles1,166 vehicles
N/AN/A758/999Very good105,165 miles1,654 vehicles
N/AN/A749/999Very good105,923 miles1,639 vehicles
N/AN/A727/999Very good98,769 miles1,092 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD MUSTANG?

Based on 868 MOT tests from 121 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

121

MOT tests

868

Pass rate

85.9%

Median mileage

40,997 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FORD MUSTANG has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 850 out of 999.

Common FORD MUSTANG 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 147 advisory comments and 3 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: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 45 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 (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 29 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: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 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))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 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))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 9 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 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))

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 7 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 exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT AT IDLE EXCEEDS DEFAULT LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (B))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 7 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 chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN WASHER PROVIDES INSUFFICIENT WASHER LIQUID (8.2.3)

FORD MUSTANG 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
202151580%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019106387.3%Exhaust, Corrosion
20182415991.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20171915587.7%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016108687.2%Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
200757081.4%Steering rack issues, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used FORD MUSTANG

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.

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

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

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

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

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

  • Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a FORD MUSTANG?

Common problems tell you what can affect FORD MUSTANGs 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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