Used car guide

2023 Ford Mustang: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Ford Mustangs, from 115 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 115 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

115MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
9,400typical miles a year
20%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 Ford Mustang MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    20% 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
    4% 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
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Brakes
    3% 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.

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

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    1% 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.

Looking at a Ford Mustang?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,060Tyres 25%
20213,119Tyres 26%
20201,073Tyres 22%
20191,226Tyres 19%
20182,115Tyres 23%
20171,873Tyres 23%
20162,533Tyres 24%
2015335Tyres 22%
2014105Brakes 12%
2013110Tyres 14%
2010104Brakes 15%
2008212Suspension 25%
2007297Suspension 24%
2006259Suspension 25%
2005324Suspension 25%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Ford Mustangs registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score