2006 Ford Mondeo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Ford Mondeo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Ford Mondeo than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  33.4% All 2006 cars

  14%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.5% of all 2006 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.

• Ball joint dust cover2.5× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  11.4% All 2006 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Corroded fuel pipes9.1× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  6.4% All 2006 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 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.

• Sub-frame bushes8.2× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  4.9% All 2006 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Sub-frame1.7× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  9.2% All 2006 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2006 Ford Mondeo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Ford Mondeo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  53% 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.

• Suspension
  47% 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.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  33% 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
  16% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% 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 2006 Ford Mondeo

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 2.4× as often on the 2006 Ford Mondeo as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2006 Ford Mondeo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 9.1× as often on the 2006 Ford Mondeo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?