2012 Ford Fusion: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Ford Fusions, from 772 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Ford Fusions than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Rigid brake pipes2.6× usualFord Fusion14.4% All 2012 cars5.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
- Wheel bearings4.7× usualFord Fusion7.1% All 2012 cars1.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
- Brake lights2.5× usualFord Fusion9.5% All 2012 cars3.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Individual direction indicators2.4× usualFord Fusion7.1% All 2012 cars3%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Rear fog light5.5× usualFord Fusion4.4% All 2012 cars0.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Brake pads: 3.5% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars. Engine oil leaks: 2.8% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars.
By area
The share of 2012 Ford Fusion MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Lights and electrics32% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes26% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Tyres26% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Suspension15% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors9% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Oil and fluid leaks7% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2,445 | Lights and electrics 34% |
| 2010 | 5,439 | Brakes 38% |
| 2009 | 7,860 | Brakes 38% |
| 2008 | 7,171 | Brakes 40% |
| 2007 | 6,449 | Brakes 42% |
| 2006 | 5,757 | Lights and electrics 48% |
| 2005 | 3,866 | Brakes 47% |
| 2004 | 3,339 | Suspension 47% |
| 2003 | 2,978 | Brakes 48% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Ford Fusions registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score