2017 Ford Allied: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Ford Allied?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Ford Allied than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Rigid brake pipes12.2× usual
  Ford Allied

  12.2% All 2017 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints4× usual
  Ford Allied

  14.7% All 2017 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes52.5× usual
  Ford Allied

  10.5% All 2017 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Brake lights5.3× usual
  Ford Allied

  5.8% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.9% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints4.7× usual
  Ford Allied

  5.2% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.6% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2017 Ford Allied MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Ford Allied MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  28% 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.

• Brakes
  26% 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.

• Tyres
  23% 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
  17% 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
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  5% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Ford Allied

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 12.2× as often on the 2017 Ford Allied as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2017 Ford Allied as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 52.5× as often on the 2017 Ford Allied as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?