Used car guide · 1995–2026

Ford Galaxy common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Ford Galaxy, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 180,584 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1996 Ford Galaxy

Too few Ford Galaxy cars first registered in 1996 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Ford Galaxy as a whole.

198on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselfuel type
What to check on a 1996 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995

What usually goes wrong with a Ford Galaxy?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Steering column clunk and power steering pump failure

    Cars registered 2006–2015 · All engines

    A clunk from the steering column is common and often comes back after a fix, and power steering pumps fail.

    At the viewing: Turn the wheel at a standstill and on the move, and listen.

    Source: What Car?: used Ford Galaxy (2006-2015) reliability

  • Stiff brake pedal and diesel cut-out recalls

    Cars registered 2006–2015 · Some cars

    Recalls covered overly stiff brake pedals and diesels cutting out.

    At the viewing: Ask a Ford dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

    Source: What Car?: used Ford Galaxy (2006-2015) reliability

  • Oil pump belt that runs in oil (2.0 EcoBlue diesel)

    Cars registered 2018–2024 · 2.0 EcoBlue diesel (most Ford 2.0 diesels from about 2018)

    The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel drives its oil pump with a belt that runs in the engine oil. As it wears it can shed rubber and cut oil pressure, which can wreck the engine. Ford has shortened the change interval on the Transit to 6 years or 100,000 miles.

    At the viewing: Ask when the oil pump belt was last changed, and watch for an oil-pressure warning light.

    Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

  • May have a timing belt that runs in oil (1.5 EcoBoost)

    Cars registered 2014–2024 · 1.5 EcoBoost petrol

    Ford used both wet timing belts and timing chains on its 1.5 EcoBoost petrol. A wet belt can break down if oil changes are late, starving the engine of oil. A Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN which this car has.

    At the viewing: Ask whether it has a belt or a chain, and for a full service history with the right oil.

    Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

  • Alarm faults, loose trim and door seals

    Cars registered 2006–2015 · All engines

    The alarm is a recurring electrical fault, and trim and door seals don't stay in place.

    At the viewing: Test the alarm and look at the door seals.

    Source: What Car?: used Ford Galaxy (2006-2015) reliability

Common Ford Galaxy MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Sidelights

    up to 6.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 6.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Headlights

    up to 18.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Ford Galaxy MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Ford Galaxy did best (79% passed first time, 2 points above all 2016 cars) and the 2021 did worst (75%, 12 points below all 2021 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202388%92% -4307 (small sample)
202283%89% -61,357
202175%87% -122,858
202081%87% -64,955
201979%85% -67,881
201880%83% -310,703
201780%80% +015,775
201679%77% +214,510
201564%74% -107,832
201458%70% -1213,378
201359%67% -812,058
201257%64% -713,515
201156%62% -613,334
201056%60% -412,783
200956%59% -311,655
200854%57% -310,514
200753%57% -49,997
200651%56% -55,354
200549%57% -84,374
200448%57% -92,681
200350%57% -72,253
200252%58% -61,085
200152%60% -8703
200051%61% -10220 (small sample)
199955%63% -8192 (small sample)
199854%65% -11174 (small sample)
199755%65% -10136 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Ford Galaxy

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

  1. Has the steering column or power steering pump been replaced?
  2. Have the brake pedal and diesel recalls been done?
  3. Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
  4. Does it have a timing belt or chain, and when was the belt last changed?
  5. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 6.9× as often on the Ford Galaxy as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the Ford Galaxy as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Ford Galaxy?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score