2012 Ford Galaxy: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Ford Galaxys, from 4,173 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 Galaxys than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Sidelights2.9× usualFord Galaxy14.5% All 2012 cars5%
Failed outright at MOT: 12.4%, against 4.4% 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.
- Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usualFord Galaxy18.9% All 2012 cars10.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Suspension arm4.2× usualFord Galaxy10.8% All 2012 cars2.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usualFord Galaxy12.5% All 2012 cars4.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
- Number plate lights2× usualFord Galaxy14.9% All 2012 cars7.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
Rigid brake pipes: 0.8% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars. Headlights: 2.2% here, against 4.7% of all 2012 cars.
By area
The share of 2012 Ford Galaxy MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension51% 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.
- Lights and electrics39% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres38% 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.
- Brakes32% 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.
- Driveshafts and joints13% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
- Oil and fluid leaks12% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,229 | Tyres 26% |
| 2021 | 1,422 | Tyres 27% |
| 2020 | 1,673 | Tyres 27% |
| 2019 | 2,587 | Tyres 27% |
| 2018 | 3,498 | Tyres 29% |
| 2017 | 5,198 | Tyres 31% |
| 2016 | 4,685 | Tyres 33% |
| 2015 | 2,397 | Tyres 36% |
| 2014 | 4,129 | Lights and electrics 39% |
| 2013 | 3,709 | Suspension 45% |
| 2011 | 4,042 | Suspension 52% |
| 2010 | 3,809 | Suspension 54% |
| 2009 | 3,320 | Suspension 56% |
| 2008 | 2,822 | Suspension 62% |
| 2007 | 2,570 | Suspension 65% |
| 2006 | 1,250 | Suspension 63% |
| 2005 | 982 | Suspension 64% |
| 2004 | 579 | Suspension 65% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Ford Galaxys registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score