Used car guide · 2007–2014

Ford Mondeo Mk4: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Ford Mondeo Mk4 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 94,852 MOT tests.

2011best year: 63% pass first time, 2 points above all 2011 cars
2007weakest year: 55% pass first time, 2 points below all 2007 cars
Suspension armthe weak spot that shows up in 7 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Ford Mondeo Mk4, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2007: 55% pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%) 55% 20072008: 55% pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%) 55% 20082009: 58% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%) 58% 20092010: 58% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%) 58% 20102011: 63% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%) 63% 20112012: 64% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%) 64% 20122013: 65% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%) 65% 20132014: 68% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%) 68% 2014*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
200755%57% -2Suspension arm 3.7× usual8,468
200855%57% -2Suspension arm 5.6× usual11,111
200958%58% +0Suspension arm 5× usual12,467
201058%59% -1Suspension arm 4.3× usual13,267
201163%61% +2Suspension arm 3.9× usual11,952
201264%63% +1Suspension arm 5.1× usual14,653
201365%66% -1Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.9× usual11,904
2014*68%69% -1Suspension arm bushes and joints 2× usual11,030

Weak spots across the Ford Mondeo Mk4

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Suspension armup to 5.6× usual

    Stands out in 7 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    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-frameup to 2.1× usual

    Stands out in 7 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Exhaust systemup to 1.8× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and jointsup to 1.9× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    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 lightsup to 2.1× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2013, 2012, 2011.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Brake padsup to 1.7× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2010, 2009, 2008.

    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.

Known faults

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Heavy or uneven power steering

    Power steering problems, often from a blocked filter, can make the steering heavy or the assistance uneven.

    Check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parking and at low speed. It should feel smooth and evenly light.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Ford Mondeo Mk4 buying guide

  • Air-con condenser failure

    The air-conditioning condenser was a common failure; many were replaced under warranty.

    Check: Run the air-con on its coldest setting. It should blow cold within a minute or two.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Ford Mondeo Mk4 buying guide

  • Windows and central locking playing up

    Electric windows can open by themselves after the car has been left locked, and the remote locking can be temperamental. New key batteries sometimes fix it; a new coded key costs around £150.

    Check: Lock and unlock several times with the remote and check every window closes fully.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Ford Mondeo Mk4 buying guide

  • Brake assist recall (early 2.0 TDCi)

    2.0 TDCi diesels built between November 2008 and March 2009 were recalled because brake assistance could drop while the engine warmed up.

    Check: Use the GOV.UK vehicle recall checker or ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Ford Mondeo Mk4 buying guide

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

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