2012 Ford Mondeo: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Ford Mondeos, from 14,653 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 Mondeos than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Suspension arm5.1× usualFord Mondeo13.3% All 2012 cars2.6%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.
- Number plate lights2× usualFord Mondeo14.3% All 2012 cars7.3%Rough price £5–£40
At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
- Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usualFord Mondeo16.6% All 2012 cars10.1%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× usualFord Mondeo10.5% All 2012 cars5%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.
- Brake pads1.5× usualFord Mondeo14.8% All 2012 cars9.6%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.
Ball joint: 1.9% here, against 5.6% of all 2012 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 2.6% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.
By area
The share of 2012 Ford Mondeo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension49% 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.
- 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.
- Lights and electrics28% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Exhaust and emissions11% 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 leaks10% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6,982 | Tyres 29% |
| 2017 | 10,838 | Tyres 31% |
| 2016 | 16,013 | Tyres 32% |
| 2015 | 17,082 | Tyres 33% |
| 2014 | 11,030 | Tyres 36% |
| 2013 | 11,904 | Suspension 44% |
| 2011 | 11,952 | Suspension 49% |
| 2010 | 13,267 | Suspension 55% |
| 2009 | 12,467 | Suspension 57% |
| 2008 | 11,111 | Suspension 59% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Ford Mondeos registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score