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MPV and people carrier · 1996–2021 cars

Ford Galaxy reliability

The Ford Galaxy fails 36.9% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 215,691 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 43/100#23 of 49 mpv and people carriers

Checking a Ford Galaxy before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
36.9%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
8% more
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
215,691
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
11,600
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Ford Galaxy has a mixed MOT record. Its first-time fail rate is 36.9%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 8% more MOT fails, and it ranks 23 of 49 mpv and people carrier models. Its weakest area is body, chassis and structure, with 52% more fails than comparable cars.

Even so, a careful check can make it a good buy, and the year matters. A 2016 is the best year, with 19% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. A 2014 is the weakest, with 32% more. Whatever year you pick, check these before buying: position lamps, stop lamps, tyre tread below 1.6mm, CV joint boots that are split or insecure, and the car's body and structure.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford Galaxy ages

Each point is the share of Ford Galaxys of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%15%30%45%60%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
Ford GalaxyAll cars
Ford Galaxy first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Ford GalaxyAll cars
318.7%12.3%
418.9%14.1%
518.9%16.4%
620.4%19.1%
726.2%22.1%
835.1%25.5%
939.3%28.8%
1040.4%31.8%
1142.9%34.6%
1242.7%37.3%
1343.4%39.5%
1444.7%41.1%
1546.9%42.3%
1648.6%42.9%
1750.5%43.4%
1850.3%43.5%
1952.5%43.4%
2052.4%42.8%
2149.2%41.4%
2247.4%40.6%
2343.6%38.9%
2450.8%37.1%
2539.6%35.8%

By year

The best and worst Ford Galaxy years

2016 cars come out best and 2014 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford Galaxy MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
202188318.8%32% more fails34,713
2020 Galaxy3,43516.7%24% more fails32,202
2019 Galaxy7,56520.7%29% more fails45,932
2018 Galaxy12,47319.1%1% more fails61,993
2017 Galaxy18,04818.8%9% fewer fails64,623
2016 Galaxy16,68719.2%19% fewer fails77,115
2015 Galaxy9,50934.8%25% more fails99,461
2014 Galaxy16,10740.2%32% more fails97,051
2013 Galaxy14,46439.8%19% more fails106,730
2012 Galaxy16,40541.6%14% more fails110,541
2011 Galaxy16,04142.5%9% more fails115,822
2010 Galaxy15,64942.6%3% more fails122,759
2009 Galaxy14,66643.1%0% fewer fails130,444
2008 Galaxy13,79345.6%3% more fails136,898
2007 Galaxy13,75747.3%5% more fails142,202
2006 Galaxy7,77550.7%11% more fails142,066
2005 Galaxy6,64652%14% more fails136,960
2004 Galaxy4,21252.1%14% more fails138,570
2003 Galaxy3,60151.2%12% more fails140,431
2002 Galaxy1,73850.7%13% more fails132,731
2001 Galaxy1,12750%15% more fails135,443
200033250.3%18% more fails146,514
199935245.5%14% more fails122,688
199829347.1%19% more fails132,563

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford Galaxy

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 52% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Lights and electrics19%26% above avg
  • Suspension10.9%10% below avg
  • Tyres8.6%17% above avg
  • Brakes8.1%8% below avg
  • Body, chassis and structure7.4%52% above avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.5%15% below avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.8%14% below avg
  • Steering3.4%24% above avg
  • Seat belts and airbags2.3%52% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Position lamp not working 6.85% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  2. 2

    Stop lamp not working 3.91% of tests

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  3. 3

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.01% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  4. 4

    CV joint boot split or insecure 3.01% of tests

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  5. 5

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.77% of tests

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  6. 6

    Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.42% of tests

    Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

  7. 7

    Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.29% of tests

    Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.

  8. 8

    Registration plate lamp not working 2.02% of tests

    A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Galaxy's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit20.19%
  • Brake pads wearing thin10.7%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored9.85%
  • Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear8.1%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive7.1%
  • Coil spring showing some corrosion5.64%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford Galaxy

  1. 1

    Position lamp not working

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  2. 2

    Stop lamp not working

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  3. 3

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  4. 4

    CV joint boot split or insecure

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Ford Galaxy covers about 11,600 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Diesel92.9%
  • Petrol7.1%
  • LPG0%
  • Hybrid0%
  • Other0%

Most common colours

Black, Silver, Blue, Grey, White

Average engine size: 2.0 litres.

Compare

How the Ford Galaxy compares with its rivals

Ford Galaxy against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Volkswagen Touran32.9%6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford C-Max30%about average for its age
Ford S-Max34.6%about average for its age
Ford Galaxy36.9%8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Grand C-Max31%15% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Meriva37.1%16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Scenic44.1%27% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford Galaxy questions, answered

Is the Ford Galaxy reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford Galaxy is below average: it fails 36.9% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 23 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford Galaxy MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford Galaxy are position lamp not working (6.85% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.91% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.01% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 19% of its tests.

Which Ford Galaxy year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2014 cars do worst (32% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford Galaxy do a year?

A typical Ford Galaxy covers about 11,600 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Ford Galaxy before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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