Large family car · 1996–2021 cars

Ford Mondeo reliability

The Ford Mondeo fails 33.3% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 714,820 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 55/100#15 of 29 large family cars

Checking a Ford Mondeo before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 33.3%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 6% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 714,820; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 11,800; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Ford Mondeo has 6% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, ranking 15 of 29 large family car models. Its first-time fail rate is 33.3%, against 28.4% for all cars, so check it carefully. Year matters too. 2016 cars had 27% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, but 1999 cars had 19% more.

Tyres are the weakest area, with 15% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage. A Mondeo can still be a sound buy if you check these before you commit: the position lamps work; tyre tread is above 1.6mm; brake pads are above 1.5mm; and the tyres show no exposed ply or cords.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford Mondeo ages

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

Ford MondeoAll cars

Ford Mondeo first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Ford Mondeo	All cars
3	16.3%	12.3%
4	14.5%	14.1%
5	15.1%	16.4%
6	16.7%	19.1%
7	19.4%	22.1%
8	23.5%	25.5%
9	29%	28.8%
10	32.4%	31.8%
11	35.2%	34.6%
12	37.6%	37.3%
13	39.8%	39.5%
14	42.1%	41.1%
15	44.2%	42.3%
16	45.9%	42.9%
17	45.2%	43.4%
18	46.1%	43.5%
19	46.5%	43.4%
20	45.2%	42.8%
21	45.4%	41.4%
22	45.1%	40.6%
23	43.8%	38.9%
24	42%	37.1%
25	41.7%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Ford Mondeo years

2016 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford Mondeo MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	482	16.4%	14% more fails	37,924
2020 Mondeo	4,024	15.5%	1% more fails	43,304
2019 Mondeo	11,978	15.1%	9% fewer fails	49,075
2018 Mondeo	24,831	15.2%	16% fewer fails	56,855
2017 Mondeo	37,852	15.8%	24% fewer fails	66,348
2016 Mondeo	55,580	17.4%	27% fewer fails	76,811
2015 Mondeo	60,310	20.2%	25% fewer fails	86,163
2014 Mondeo	40,657	28.8%	7% fewer fails	101,937
2013 Mondeo	44,544	31.9%	6% fewer fails	111,377
2012 Mondeo	56,627	33.2%	9% fewer fails	113,747
2011 Mondeo	48,111	35.3%	9% fewer fails	120,191
2010 Mondeo	60,089	39.6%	3% fewer fails	122,674
2009 Mondeo	60,396	40.8%	4% fewer fails	127,923
2008 Mondeo	59,668	43%	2% fewer fails	133,739
2007 Mondeo	47,772	45.8%	3% more fails	128,273
2006 Mondeo	29,515	45.2%	2% more fails	119,141
2005 Mondeo	25,292	46.1%	3% more fails	118,374
2004 Mondeo	16,460	46.8%	5% more fails	116,579
2003 Mondeo	9,989	46.4%	6% more fails	111,974
2002 Mondeo	7,580	45.3%	5% more fails	109,985
2001 Mondeo	6,603	44.7%	6% more fails	109,820
2000 Mondeo	2,833	43.4%	9% more fails	98,876
1999 Mondeo	1,974	44.7%	19% more fails	96,230
1998 Mondeo	1,127	41.3%	13% more fails	96,099
1997	400	41.8%	17% more fails	90,951

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford Mondeo

Its weak spot is tyres: 15% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics14.2%10% below avg
Suspension10.5%19% below avg
Brakes8.6%7% below avg
Tyres8.5%15% above avg
Body, chassis and structure4.6%11% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.5%4% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.4%20% below avg
Steering2.4%15% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.9%40% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 3.19% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.98% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.51% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.19% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
5
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.17% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
6
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.98% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
7
Stop lamp not working 1.91% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.72% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

Most common advisories

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

Tyre worn close to legal limit18.56%
Brake disc pitted or scored10.67%
Brake pads wearing thin9.44%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.4%
Coil spring showing some corrosion6.02%
Engine oil leak, not excessive5.9%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford Mondeo

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
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
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
The mileage record
A typical Ford Mondeo covers about 11,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
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

Diesel78.6%
Petrol20%
Hybrid1.2%
Electric0.2%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, White

Average engine size: 1.9 litres.

Compare

How the Ford Mondeo compares with its rivals

Ford Mondeo against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Skoda Superb	21.4%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Passat	29.2%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Saab 9-3	37.3%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Avensis	33.7%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Mondeo	33.3%	6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda 6	30%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Insignia	31%	about average for its age

Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford Mondeo questions, answered

Is the Ford Mondeo reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford Mondeo is about average: it fails 33.3% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 15 of 29 large family car models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford Mondeo MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford Mondeo are position lamp not working (3.19% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.98% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.51% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14.2% of its tests.

Which Ford Mondeo year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (19% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford Mondeo do a year?

A typical Ford Mondeo covers about 11,800 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 Mondeo 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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