Used car guide

2008 Ford Mondeo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Ford Mondeos, from 11,111 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,111MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
8,000typical miles a year
5.6×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Ford Mondeos than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Suspension arm5.6× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    20.7% All 2008 cars
    3.7%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Sub-frame2.1× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    16.7% All 2008 cars
    7.8%
    Rough price £300–£1,000

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Exhaust system1.8× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    16.1% All 2008 cars
    9%
    Rough price £100–£500

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Brake pads1.6× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    14.1% All 2008 cars
    8.7%
    Rough price £80–£180

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

  • Link ball joint covers2.1× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    7.3% All 2008 cars
    3.5%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 2% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Ford Mondeo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% 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.

  • Tyres
    39% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% 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 Mondeo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20186,982Tyres 29%
201710,838Tyres 31%
201616,013Tyres 32%
201517,082Tyres 33%
201411,030Tyres 36%
201311,904Suspension 44%
201214,653Suspension 49%
201111,952Suspension 49%
201013,267Suspension 55%
200912,467Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Ford Mondeos registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score