2017 Ford Galaxy diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Ford Galaxy diesel?

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

• Engine oil leaks4.9× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  7.4% All 2017 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Number plate lights2.2× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  4.4% All 2017 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.6% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

• Individual direction indicators7× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  2.1% All 2017 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.1% 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.

• Sidelights2.6× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  2.1% All 2017 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.7% 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.

Common 2017 Ford Galaxy diesel MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  30% 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
  23% 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
  14% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  8% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  5% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Ford Galaxy diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 2017 Ford Galaxy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2017 Ford Galaxy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 7× as often on the 2017 Ford Galaxy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?