Sports car and convertible · 1996–2021 cars

Ford Mustang reliability

The Ford Mustang fails 14.7% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 44,751 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 64/100#48 of 62 sports car and convertibles

Checking a Ford Mustang before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 14.7%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 15% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 44,751; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 5,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford Mustang ages

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

Ford MustangAll cars

Ford Mustang first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Ford Mustang	All cars
3	11.6%	12.3%
4	13.7%	14.1%
5	14.2%	16.4%
6	14.8%	19.1%
7	15.8%	22.1%
8	13.9%	25.5%
9	16.1%	28.8%
10	15.1%	31.8%
11	16.5%	34.6%
12	17.3%	37.3%
13	17%	39.5%
14	13.4%	41.1%
15	17.9%	42.3%
16	18.5%	42.9%
17	18.4%	43.4%
18	18%	43.5%
19	13.5%	43.4%

By year

The best and worst Ford Mustang years

2005 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford Mustang MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Mustang	1,235	9.7%	18% fewer fails	26,462
2020 Mustang	2,717	10.8%	10% more fails	16,020
2019 Mustang	4,150	14.5%	34% more fails	17,698
2018 Mustang	8,827	13.2%	5% more fails	23,569
2017 Mustang	8,045	14%	2% fewer fails	27,164
2016 Mustang	10,378	16.1%	2% fewer fails	30,274
2015 Mustang	1,308	14.8%	19% fewer fails	31,797
2014	388	15.2%	32% fewer fails	45,187
2013	399	12%	52% fewer fails	50,170
2012	428	16.1%	43% fewer fails	61,618
2011	325	19.7%	38% fewer fails	62,524
2010	426	16%	52% fewer fails	64,177
2009	428	14.5%	55% fewer fails	52,902
2008	838	15.5%	51% fewer fails	48,179
2007 Mustang	1,118	17.3%	50% fewer fails	57,578
2006 Mustang	1,094	18.7%	50% fewer fails	67,324
2005 Mustang	1,272	17.3%	53% fewer fails	62,554
2004	241	23.7%	34% fewer fails	54,196

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford Mustang

Its weak spot is brakes: 39% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Brakes4.8%39% above avg
Tyres4%9% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.3%9% below avg
Lights and electrics3.3%38% below avg
Suspension2.1%46% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.2%16% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.8%229% above avg
Steering0.4%39% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.3%31% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.6% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.55% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.14% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
4
Parking brake inoperative on one side 1.03% of tests
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.97% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Parking brake efficiency under half required 0.76% of tests
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 0.7% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.69% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

Most common advisories

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

Tyre worn close to legal limit8.05%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.37%
Brake disc pitted or scored2.9%
Brake pads wearing thin2.33%
Suspension ball joint slight play1.03%
Tyre worn close to legal limit1.01%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford Mustang

1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
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.
4
Parking brake inoperative on one side
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
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 Mustang covers about 5,100 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

Petrol97.8%
Electric2.1%
LPG0.1%
Diesel0%

Most common colours

Red, Grey, Blue, Black, White

Average engine size: 4.5 litres.

Compare

How the Ford Mustang compares with its rivals

Ford Mustang against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Porsche Cayman	9.8%	60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jaguar F-Type	7.8%	52% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Mustang	14.7%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW Z3	31.3%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Eos	33.7%	14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
MG TF	30.8%	13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot RCZ	33%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford Mustang questions, answered

Is the Ford Mustang reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford Mustang is better than average: it fails 14.7% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 48 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford Mustang MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford Mustang are parking brake efficiency below minimum (1.6% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.55% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.14% of tests). By area, brakes fails 4.8% of its tests.

Which Ford Mustang year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2005 cars do best (53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (34% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford Mustang do a year?

A typical Ford Mustang covers about 5,100 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 Mustang 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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