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Ford Mustang reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-present3 named generationsCoupePETROL
At a glance

Ford Mustang built around 2018: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Ford Mustangs built around 2018 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Ford Mustang by number plate

Key figure

4.9% of MOT tests on Ford Mustangs built around 2018 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 2.9%.

Most common issue

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

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

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.

Brake pads

High priority

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Handbrake / parking brake

Worth checking

Test the handbrake on a slope and confirm it holds without ratcheting through to the end.

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 Mustang's generation

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

S

S650 (7th gen) (2024-present)

PETROL
Too new for MOT figures: first MOTs due from 2027View details →
Mustang S550 (6th gen)

S550 (6th gen) (2015-2023)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

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 2,337 MOT tests at this ageView details →
S

S197 (5th gen) (2005-2014)

Excellent
PETROL

15.2% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Likely between 9.6% and 23.3%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 105 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

14.7% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 12.1% and 17.9%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 577 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

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 Mustang.

See every build year for the Ford Mustang

Side-by-side

Ford Mustang 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
S550 (6th gen) (2015-2023)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings14.8%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 2,337 MOT tests at this age
S197 (5th gen) (2005-2014)
Excellent
Excellent15.2%likely between 9.6% and 23.3%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 105 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating14.7%likely between 12.1% and 17.9%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 577 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Mustang, 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 Mustang fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ford Mustang 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
7239.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
76910.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,33212.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,67015.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,33714.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,59415.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,05215.8%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1598.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
10910.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
13015.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
9320.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
10515.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10313.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
18715.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
32216.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
31416.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
31916.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
19516.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
5915.3%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
5018.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
57714.7%

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 13 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Ford Mustang 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

3rd of 17

3rd lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other coupes

11th of 13

11th lowest fail rate of 13 coupes 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 Mustangs

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

All generations of this modelEnough 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

    15.8%
    Advisory: 590Fail: 52 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.5%
    Advisory: 230Fail: 68 (23% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    5.7%
    Advisory: 213Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    5.4%
    Advisory: 151Fail: 13 (8% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Handbrake weaker than required

    4.0%
    Advisory: 7Fail: 87 (93% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,337 MOT tests on 7-year-old Ford Mustangs, 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 Mustangs notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres48%
  2. Other + Tyres15%
  3. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers13%
  4. Brakes + Other12%

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

Across 381 MOT tests on Ford Mustang 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

Not enough registration data to show this for the Ford Mustang.

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.

Recall context

49 recalls in all

21 of the 49 Ford Mustang recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 19 more

Top concerns

  • Front driver side air bag inflator housing may rupture
  • Fire may occur
  • 25S75 cross carline - low pressure fuel pump potential failure

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

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 5.3%, against 14.8% for the Ford Mustang, both built around 2018.

    2,547 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Cayman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93%

    Lower fail rate: 5.5%, against 14.8% for the Ford Mustang, both built around 2018.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.6%, against 14.8% for the Ford Mustang, both built around 2018.

    2,085 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 10.4%, against 14.8% for the Ford Mustang, both built around 2018.

    6,783 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 Mustang across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 3rd lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 2,337 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 Mustang ever sold: 14,199 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 2,337 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.