At a Glance
The Ford Mondeo has 15 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the Mk3 (2000-2007) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 8.7M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Ford Mondeo common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Ford Mondeo generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Ford Mondeo Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Top issue: Trailing arm worn or corroded
Mk2
Top issue: Suspension linkage condition
Mk3
Top issue: Catalytic converter efficiency low
Mk4
Top issue: Suspension pins, bushes or ball joints worn
Mk5
Most common MOT failure: Tyre tread depth below limit
Most Common Ford Mondeo MOT Failures
Every reason Ford Mondeo vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 11.35% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.96% |
| 3 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 7.33% |
| 4 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.49% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 4.91% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.64% |
| 7 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.37% |
| 8 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 4.10% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.48% |
| 10 | Front lamp not working | 3.17% |
| 11 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.06% |
| 12 | Exhaust system fault | 3.05% |
| 13 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.93% |
| 14 | Stop lamp not working | 2.89% |
| 15 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.58% |
| 16 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.51% |
| 17 | Driveshaft fault | 2.01% |
| 18 | Rear lamp not working | 1.99% |
| 19 | Track rod end worn | 1.53% |
| 20 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.39% |
| 21 | Position lamp not working | 1.20% |
| 22 | Seat belt condition | 1.10% |
| 23 | Parking brake condition | 1.08% |
| 24 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.07% |
| 25 | Rear suspension fault | 1.05% |
| 26 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.88% |
| 27 | Indicator fault | 0.77% |
| 28 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.77% |
| 29 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.76% |
| 30 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.73% |
| 31 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.59% |
| 32 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.53% |
| 33 | Front suspension fault | 0.50% |
| 34 | Headlamp fault | 0.49% |
| 35 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.49% |
| 36 | ABS fault | 0.42% |
| 37 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.38% |
| 38 | Steering rack fault | 0.34% |
| 39 | Fog lamp not working | 0.31% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.31% |
| 41 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.27% |
| 42 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.25% |
| 43 | Brake fluid leak | 0.25% |
| 44 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.25% |
| 45 | Horn not working | 0.24% |
| 46 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.23% |
| 47 | Chassis condition | 0.23% |
| 48 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.23% |
| 49 | Airbag warning light on | 0.22% |
| 50 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.21% |
| 51 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.19% |
| 52 | Brake caliper fault | 0.17% |
| 53 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.16% |
| 54 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.16% |
| 55 | Brake pedal fault | 0.14% |
| 56 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.13% |
| 57 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.12% |
| 58 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.10% |
| 59 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 60 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.07% |
| 61 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 62 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 63 | Steering lock fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.06% |
| 65 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 67 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.06% |
| 68 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Electrical switch fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 73 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | CV joint worn | 0.04% |
| 75 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.04% |
| 76 | Steering free play excessive | 0.04% |
| 77 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 79 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Power steering pump fault | 0.04% |
| 81 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 83 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 84 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 85 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 87 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 88 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 92 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 96 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 98 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 99 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 100 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 101 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 104 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.01% |
| 106 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 108 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 113 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 114 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 115 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 116 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 117 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 122 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 129 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 136 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 139 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 146 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 157 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 159 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 160 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 161 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 164 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 168 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 170 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 171 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 172 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 180 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 182 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 185 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 191 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 192 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 193 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 196 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Steering linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 198 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 199 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 200 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 201 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 201 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Ford Mondeo MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Ford Mondeo, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Mondeo problems?
Based on analysis of 8.7M Ford Mondeo MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 15 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Catalytic converter efficiency low". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Ford Mondeo generation has the most problems?
The Ford Mondeo Mk3 (2000-2007) (2000–2007) has the highest number of identified common problems (11). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Ford Mondeo?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Ford Mondeo owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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