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Ford Mondeo reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20223 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / ELECTRICITY
At a glance

Ford Mondeo built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Ford Mondeos built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Ford Mondeo by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Ford Mondeos built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford Mondeos built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Ford Mondeo's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Mondeo's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Mondeo Mk5

Mk5 (2015-2022)

Too close to call between ratings
HYBRID ELECTRICPETROLDIESELELECTRICITY

14.8% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 9,391 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Mondeo Mk4

Mk4 (2007-2014)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

26.4% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 8,353 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Mondeo Mk3 (facelift)

Mk3 (facelift) (2003-2006)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

33.3% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 3,227 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Ford Mondeo.

See every build year for the Ford Mondeo

Side-by-side

Ford Mondeo generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk5 (2015-2022)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings14.8%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 9,391 MOT tests at this age
Mk4 (2007-2014)
Average
Average26.4%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 8,353 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (facelift) (2003-2006)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings33.3%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 3,227 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Mondeo, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Ford Mondeo fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ford Mondeo ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
92113.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,83312.4%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
3,65613.4%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
6,30213.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
9,39114.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
15,58315.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
20,87818.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
17,54521.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
16,12725.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
17,06126.1%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
17,92027.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
17,86229.0%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
18,09930.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
16,43031.6%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
13,65432.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
9,47732.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
6,73632.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
5,34432.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
3,22733.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,09731.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,61932.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,15732.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,78929.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Ford Mondeo stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Ford models

4th of 17

4th lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

26th of 84

26th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

14.8%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Ford Mondeos

These issues come from 7-year-old Ford Mondeos, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    23.2%
    Advisory: 3,342Fail: 347 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.0%
    Advisory: 1,429Fail: 260 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    8.0%
    Advisory: 1,011Fail: 22 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.6%
    Advisory: 635Fail: 264 (29% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    4.5%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 9,391 MOT tests on 7-year-old Ford Mondeos, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Ford Mondeos notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres39%
  2. Other + Tyres18%
  3. Lighting + Tyres17%
  4. Brakes + Lighting12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,320 MOT tests on Ford Mondeo cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

85%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

38 recalls in all

28 of the 38 Ford Mondeo recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 Critical
  • 23 more

Top concerns

  • Takata air bag inflator may rupture on deployment
  • Overheating of the engine cylinder head may cause the cylinder head to crack
  • Vehicle could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 14.8% for the Ford Mondeo, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the Ford Mondeo on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 14.8% for the Ford Mondeo, both built around 2018.

    17,367 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 10.5%, against 14.8% for the Ford Mondeo, both built around 2018.

    3,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Ford Mondeo across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 4th lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 9,391 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Ford Mondeo ever sold: 224,708 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 9,391 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.