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 180,492 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Ford Galaxy

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. 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.

19registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Dieselfuel type
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

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, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Exhaust system

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.5× usual

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

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake lights

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

Diesel

  • Sidelights

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 3× usual

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

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.1× usual

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

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 4× usual

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

    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.

  • Headlights

    up to 19× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2018, 2019, 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.

Hybrid

  • Headlights

    up to 18.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 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
202387%92% -5295 (small sample)
202283%89% -61,348
202175%87% -122,846
202081%87% -64,931
201979%85% -67,881
201880%83% -310,703
201780%80% +015,775
201679%77% +214,510
201564%74% -107,831
201458%70% -1213,378
201359%67% -812,058
201257%64% -713,514
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
200050%61% -11216 (small sample)
199954%63% -9186 (small sample)
199855%65% -10166 (small sample)
199755%65% -10121 (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× 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