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Ford Mustang reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 64,270 MOT tests of cars first registered 2005–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
84.8%pass first time
+0.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 53%of cars
64,270MOT tests

Verdict

The Ford Mustang passes its MOT first time on 84.8% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (84.6%). That puts it ahead of 53% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2008 Mustang does best (beats 100% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 5%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.7×as often as a typical car
Handbrake performance10.2×as often as a typical car
Suspension ball joints2.9×as often as a typical car
Number plates4.6×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.

75%80%85%90%95%34567891088%88%85%84%83%82%82%82%
Ford MustangTypical 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.

2005
Beats 100%
2006
Beats 100%
2007
Beats 99%
2008
Beats 100%
2015
Beats 79%
2016
Beats 37%
2017
Beats 34%
2018
Beats 21%
2019
Beats 5%
2020
Beats 9%
2021
Beats 12%
2022
Beats 39%

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
5.0 Petrol2015–202247,10685.9%Beats 32%D
2.3 Petrol2016–201810,97780.6%Beats 18%E
4.6 Petrol2005–20086,18783.8%Beats 99%A

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: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% 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: 2.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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: 2.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.4% 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: 4.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.1% 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: 4.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.7% 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: 2.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.4% 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+1.7 ptsTyres: 4.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.1% 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−0.6 ptsBrakes: 4.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.7% 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−1.9 ptsSuspension: 2.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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+0.8 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% 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.Exhaust0.0 ptsSuspension: 2.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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: 4.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.7% 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: 4.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.1% 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: 2.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.4% 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: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% 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: 2.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.4% 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+1.7 ptsTyres: 4.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.1% 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−0.6 ptsBrakes: 4.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.7% 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−1.9 ptsSuspension: 2.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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+0.8 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% 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.Exhaust0.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 4.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.7% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Tyres
4.8% vs 4.1%
Brakes
4.7% vs 2.7%
Visibility
3.0% vs 3.3%
Lights & electrics
2.7% vs 4.4%
Suspension
2.2% vs 2.9%
Emissions & leaks
1.1% vs 1.1%
Steering
0.3% vs 0.6%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 0.4%
Body & structure
0.2% vs 1.0%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Handbrake performance 10.2× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Suspension ball joints 2.9× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Wheel bearings 3.8× typical
    Listen for a hum or drone that rises with speed.
  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 2.0× typical
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k94%88%85%82%78%77%75%75%
Ford MustangTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Handbrake performance4.7%0.5%10.2×
Tyre damage & cracking3.0%2.6%1.1×
Windscreen wipers1.7%2.1%0.8×
Tyre tread depth1.6%1.2%1.4×
Windscreen washers1.3%1.2%1.1×
Suspension ball joints1.1%0.4%2.9×
Headlight aim1.0%1.7%0.6×
Number plates0.9%0.2%4.6×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)0.6%0.3%2.0×
Sidelights0.5%0.6%0.8×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement22.8
A tyre cords visible or damaged18.5
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen17.0
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements15.7
Parking brake inoperative on one side14.3
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn13.3
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen12.8
A tyre seriously damaged11.3
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.

2022 Ford Mustang1 engine91.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol1,13091.1%Beats 39%D
2021 Ford Mustang1 engine88.1% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol1,48488.1%Beats 12%E
2020 Ford Mustang1 engine86.8% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol3,36986.8%Beats 9%E
2019 Ford Mustang1 engine84.8% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol4,86184.8%Beats 5%E
2018 Ford Mustang2 engines84.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol9,94985.8%Beats 26%D
2.3 Petrol2,48481.5%Beats 12%E
2017 Ford Mustang2 engines85.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol9,94286.2%Beats 42%C
2.3 Petrol3,01981.4%Beats 17%E
2016 Ford Mustang2 engines83.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol14,50885.2%Beats 44%C
2.3 Petrol5,47479.9%Beats 23%D
2015 Ford Mustang1 engine87.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.0 Petrol1,86387.5%Beats 79%B
2008 Ford Mustang1 engine85.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.6 Petrol1,33185.9%Beats 100%A
2007 Ford Mustang1 engine83.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.6 Petrol1,47983.6%Beats 99%A
2006 Ford Mustang1 engine83.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.6 Petrol1,44083.1%Beats 100%A
2005 Ford Mustang1 engine83.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.6 Petrol1,93783.0%Beats 100%A

FAQ

What is the Ford Mustang MOT pass rate?

84.8% of MOT tests on the Ford Mustang were passed first time, based on 64,270 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2005–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 84.6% of the time.

Is the Ford Mustang reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 53% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Ford Mustang year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2008 Mustang does best for its age and mileage: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 5%.

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

The most common failure items are handbrake performance, tyre damage & cracking, windscreen wipers. Compared with similar cars, handbrake performance comes up 10.2× 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.