Used car guide

2018 Ford Galaxy: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Ford Galaxys, from 3,498 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,498MOT tests in 2025
79%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
11,700typical miles a year
6.6×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Ford Galaxys than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Engine oil leaks6.6× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    9.3% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Number plate lights2.8× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    5.1% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Individual direction indicators6.5× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    2.6% All 2018 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Sidelights3.6× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    2.5% All 2018 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    2.3% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

By area

The share of 2018 Ford Galaxy MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Suspension
    5% 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.

Looking at a Ford Galaxy?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,229Tyres 26%
20211,422Tyres 27%
20201,673Tyres 27%
20192,587Tyres 27%
20175,198Tyres 31%
20164,685Tyres 33%
20152,397Tyres 36%
20144,129Lights and electrics 39%
20133,709Suspension 45%
20124,173Suspension 51%
20114,042Suspension 52%
20103,809Suspension 54%
20093,320Suspension 56%
20082,822Suspension 62%
20072,570Suspension 65%
20061,250Suspension 63%
2005982Suspension 64%
2004579Suspension 65%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Ford Galaxys registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score