Used car guide

2013 Ford Mondeo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Ford Mondeos, from 11,904 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,904MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
10,300typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Ford Mondeos than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    16.7% All 2013 cars
    8.7%
    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.

  • Suspension arm4.6× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    9.2% All 2013 cars
    2%
    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 lights2.1× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    12.9% All 2013 cars
    6.1%
    Rough price £5–£40

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

  • Brake pads1.5× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    15.1% All 2013 cars
    9.8%
    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.

  • Track rod end1.8× usual
    Ford Mondeo
    8.5% All 2013 cars
    4.8%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Ball joint: 1.4% here, against 5% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Ford Mondeo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    24% 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 emissions
    9% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20186,982Tyres 29%
201710,838Tyres 31%
201616,013Tyres 32%
201517,082Tyres 33%
201411,030Tyres 36%
201214,653Suspension 49%
201111,952Suspension 49%
201013,267Suspension 55%
200912,467Suspension 57%
200811,111Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Ford Mondeos registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score