Makes › Ford › Mondeo

Ford Mondeo reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 2.1 million MOT tests of cars first registered 1995–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
64.7%pass first time
+2.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 60%of cars
2.1MMOT tests

Verdict

The Ford Mondeo passes its MOT first time on 64.7% of tests, 2.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (62.5%). That puts it ahead of 60% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 Mondeo does best (beats 84% of cars) and the 2006 worst (beats 45%).

Of its engines, the 1.5 Diesel does best (beats 76%) and the 1.8 Petrol worst (beats 41%).

Better than average on visibility, seat belts & airbags.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension arm bushes1.4×as often as a typical car
Exhaust system1.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192084%82%77%70%63%57%54%53%53%
Ford MondeoTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1995
Beats 19%
1996
Beats 26%
1997
Beats 33%
1998
Beats 25%
1999
Beats 26%
2000
Beats 32%
2001
Beats 46%
2002
Beats 50%
2003
Beats 46%
2004
Beats 47%
2005
Beats 47%
2006
Beats 45%
2007
Beats 49%
2008
Beats 61%
2009
Beats 62%
2010
Beats 60%
2011
Beats 65%
2012
Beats 64%
2013
Beats 63%
2014
Beats 64%
2015
Beats 83%
2016
Beats 84%
2017
Beats 82%
2018
Beats 77%
2019
Beats 68%
2020
Beats 58%
2021
Beats 50%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2001–20211,174,46466.2%Beats 61%B
2.0 Petrol1996–2018217,07860.6%Beats 60%C
1.8 Petrol1995–2007126,95251.5%Beats 41%C
1.8 Diesel2007–2011125,65558.1%Beats 55%C
2.2 Diesel2004–2014120,61558.9%Beats 60%B
1.6 Diesel2011–2015102,93168.7%Beats 60%C
1.5 Diesel2015–201858,07680.1%Beats 76%B
1.5 Petrol2015–201930,84686.5%Beats 87%A
1.6 Petrol2007–201429,32069.1%Beats 66%B
2.5 Petrol1999–200923,64960.6%Beats 67%B
3.0 Petrol2002–200721,71259.8%Beats 70%B
2.0 Hybrid2015–202117,20585.1%Beats 84%A
2.3 Petrol2007–20109,61466.3%Beats 73%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 4.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 11.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 15.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 17.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 8.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 9.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 15.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 17.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.3 ptsTyres: 8.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.0 ptsBrakes: 9.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.2 ptsSuspension: 11.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.1 ptsExhaust: 4.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.1 ptsSuspension: 11.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 9.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 8.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 15.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 17.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 4.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 15.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 17.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.3 ptsTyres: 8.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.0 ptsBrakes: 9.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.2 ptsSuspension: 11.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.1 ptsExhaust: 4.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 8.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
15.0% vs 17.3%
Suspension
11.4% vs 13.4%
Brakes
9.8% vs 10.0%
Tyres
8.8% vs 7.9%
Emissions & leaks
4.9% vs 4.7%
Visibility
4.7% vs 6.0%
Body & structure
4.5% vs 5.1%
Steering
2.5% vs 2.9%
Seat belts & airbags
1.0% vs 1.7%
Wheels
0.5% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension arm bushes 1.4× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Exhaust system 1.4× typical
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k93%87%81%74%67%61%58%56%
Ford MondeoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking4.8%3.9%1.2×
Headlight aim4.3%4.5%1.0×
Sidelights4.0%4.5%0.9×
Tyre tread depth3.6%3.5%1.0×
Brake pads2.9%2.5%1.2×
Brake lights2.5%3.2%0.8×
Suspension arm bushes2.4%1.7%1.4×
Exhaust system2.3%1.6%1.4×
Handbrake performance2.2%2.3%1.0×
Windscreen wipers2.1%2.5%0.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn43.6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements42.9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements36.0
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning30.0
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm27.7
A tyre cords visible or damaged23.7
A tyre seriously damaged22.7
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning22.1
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2021 Ford Mondeo2 engines84.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,81783.3%Beats 44%C
2.0 Hybrid1,53285.7%Beats 58%C
2020 Ford Mondeo2 engines84.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel5,54384.0%Beats 58%C
2.0 Hybrid3,19284.8%Beats 58%C
2019 Ford Mondeo3 engines83.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel14,48683.2%Beats 66%B
2.0 Hybrid4,57385.3%Beats 79%B
1.5 Petrol2,59285.4%Beats 57%C
2018 Ford Mondeo5 engines83.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel27,50083.5%Beats 76%B
1.5 Diesel5,78980.6%Beats 68%B
1.5 Petrol4,65788.1%Beats 85%A
2.0 Hybrid2,96285.7%Beats 91%A
2.0 Petrol1,07586.9%Beats 72%B
2017 Ford Mondeo5 engines83.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel54,90283.7%Beats 83%A
1.5 Diesel14,45681.1%Beats 75%B
1.5 Petrol4,04187.0%Beats 85%A
2.0 Petrol1,55288.0%Beats 87%A
2.0 Hybrid1,39985.3%Beats 94%A
2016 Ford Mondeo5 engines82.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel86,21282.1%Beats 85%A
1.5 Diesel25,93580.8%Beats 80%A
1.5 Petrol8,30886.6%Beats 90%A
2.0 Petrol5,07486.5%Beats 88%A
2.0 Hybrid2,40283.9%Beats 95%A
2015 Ford Mondeo6 engines80.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel108,29480.3%Beats 83%A
1.6 Diesel16,48977.6%Beats 75%B
1.5 Diesel11,89677.3%Beats 70%B
1.5 Petrol11,24885.8%Beats 91%A
2.0 Petrol6,91286.6%Beats 94%A
2.0 Hybrid1,14584.5%Beats 97%A
2014 Ford Mondeo4 engines73.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel79,62473.4%Beats 65%B
1.6 Diesel19,70070.7%Beats 55%C
1.6 Petrol2,87380.9%Beats 85%A
2.2 Diesel2,68675.4%Beats 69%B
2013 Ford Mondeo4 engines69.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel86,87970.1%Beats 64%B
1.6 Diesel23,26067.6%Beats 56%C
1.6 Petrol3,30278.0%Beats 79%B
2.2 Diesel3,08672.2%Beats 67%B
2012 Ford Mondeo5 engines67.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel96,63767.7%Beats 64%B
1.6 Diesel31,99065.6%Beats 59%C
2.2 Diesel9,20469.5%Beats 69%B
1.6 Petrol8,62173.7%Beats 73%B
2.0 Petrol2,44973.9%Beats 76%B
2011 Ford Mondeo6 engines65.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel76,87865.2%Beats 66%B
2.0 Petrol16,53069.0%Beats 67%B
1.6 Diesel11,49263.1%Beats 56%C
2.2 Diesel10,33167.5%Beats 71%B
1.8 Diesel9,09962.4%Beats 54%C
1.6 Petrol4,91871.0%Beats 73%B
2010 Ford Mondeo5 engines61.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel114,12561.9%Beats 61%B
1.8 Diesel30,95259.3%Beats 49%C
2.0 Petrol14,52365.0%Beats 61%B
2.2 Diesel6,05964.8%Beats 72%B
2.3 Petrol1,72266.7%Beats 65%B
2009 Ford Mondeo7 engines60.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel104,16559.4%Beats 60%C
1.8 Diesel32,39959.5%Beats 59%C
2.2 Diesel18,40563.5%Beats 73%B
2.0 Petrol15,17063.8%Beats 66%B
1.6 Petrol1,63462.3%Beats 59%C
2.3 Petrol1,59069.8%Beats 80%A
2.5 Petrol1,30468.4%Beats 83%A
2008 Ford Mondeo7 engines58.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel106,22157.3%Beats 59%C
1.8 Diesel30,42157.2%Beats 58%C
2.0 Petrol25,36661.1%Beats 65%B
2.2 Diesel8,90561.0%Beats 69%B
2.3 Petrol4,89965.3%Beats 73%B
1.6 Petrol4,89456.8%Beats 49%C
2.5 Petrol3,81567.8%Beats 86%A
2007 Ford Mondeo9 engines54.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel69,34453.3%Beats 47%C
1.8 Petrol24,56752.5%Beats 38%D
1.8 Diesel22,78454.3%Beats 50%C
2.0 Petrol19,48158.5%Beats 59%C
2.2 Diesel17,37752.7%Beats 46%C
2.5 Petrol4,43766.1%Beats 83%A
1.6 Petrol3,07856.1%Beats 50%C
2.3 Petrol1,40365.1%Beats 72%B
3.0 Petrol1,05459.1%Beats 58%C
2006 Ford Mondeo5 engines52.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel39,81748.3%Beats 33%D
2.2 Diesel25,45752.3%Beats 49%C
2.0 Petrol21,40957.9%Beats 59%C
1.8 Petrol21,31653.9%Beats 48%C
3.0 Petrol3,88760.9%Beats 68%B
2005 Ford Mondeo5 engines51.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel40,75047.9%Beats 36%D
1.8 Petrol22,28152.1%Beats 44%C
2.0 Petrol17,80357.3%Beats 61%B
2.2 Diesel16,76851.4%Beats 50%C
3.0 Petrol5,31161.4%Beats 74%B
2004 Ford Mondeo6 engines50.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel32,33846.5%Beats 36%D
1.8 Petrol16,31950.3%Beats 43%C
2.0 Petrol14,93054.6%Beats 57%C
3.0 Petrol6,38460.2%Beats 74%B
2.2 Diesel2,33753.8%Beats 61%B
2.5 Petrol1,83357.9%Beats 62%B
2003 Ford Mondeo5 engines50.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel16,85546.8%Beats 38%D
2.0 Petrol12,64553.2%Beats 53%C
1.8 Petrol12,41050.9%Beats 45%C
3.0 Petrol3,53456.2%Beats 63%B
2.5 Petrol2,06154.4%Beats 54%C
2002 Ford Mondeo5 engines51.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol13,88553.3%Beats 54%C
1.8 Petrol9,99750.0%Beats 44%C
2.0 Diesel8,56448.6%Beats 45%C
2.5 Petrol2,95353.5%Beats 54%C
3.0 Petrol1,54258.4%Beats 68%B
2001 Ford Mondeo4 engines51.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol15,41552.8%Beats 50%C
1.8 Petrol9,29349.5%Beats 37%D
2.0 Diesel3,51347.5%Beats 39%D
2.5 Petrol2,71756.4%Beats 61%B
2000 Ford Mondeo3 engines50.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol5,30550.4%Beats 31%D
1.8 Petrol3,53144.2%Beats 14%E
2.5 Petrol3,00059.0%Beats 62%B
1999 Ford Mondeo3 engines50.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol3,33850.7%Beats 26%D
1.8 Petrol2,21247.3%Beats 17%E
2.5 Petrol1,52956.2%Beats 45%C
1998 Ford Mondeo2 engines52.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,76152.2%Beats 25%D
1.8 Petrol1,61952.4%Beats 26%D
1997 Ford Mondeo2 engines56.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,37458.4%Beats 40%C
1.8 Petrol1,23854.4%Beats 26%D
1996 Ford Mondeo2 engines56.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol1,14754.5%Beats 20%E
2.0 Petrol1,08157.9%Beats 34%D
1995 Ford Mondeo1 engine55.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol1,02255.9%Beats 19%E

FAQ

What is the Ford Mondeo MOT pass rate?

64.7% of MOT tests on the Ford Mondeo were passed first time, based on 2,058,117 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1995–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 62.5% of the time.

Is the Ford Mondeo reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 60% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Ford Mondeo year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 Mondeo does best for its age and mileage: it beats 84% of cars on UK roads. The 2006 does worst: it beats 45%.

Which Ford Mondeo engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.5 Diesel does best: it beats 76% of cars on UK roads. The 1.8 Petrol does worst: it beats 41%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Ford Mondeo?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, suspension arm bushes comes up 1.4× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.