Used car guide

2021 Ford Galaxy: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Ford Galaxys, from 1,422 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,422MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
11,900typical miles a year
17.5×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Ford Galaxys than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Headlights17.5× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    7% All 2021 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 0.4% of all 2021 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.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    12.7% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Number plates4.1× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    3.3% All 2021 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

  • Number plate lights3.8× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    2.3% All 2021 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

  • Headlight aim2.1× usual
    Ford Galaxy
    2.9% All 2021 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.4% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

By area

The share of 2021 Ford Galaxy MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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
    17% 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
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    2% 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.

Looking at a Ford Galaxy?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,229Tyres 26%
20201,673Tyres 27%
20192,587Tyres 27%
20183,498Tyres 29%
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 2021 Ford Galaxys registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score