2021 Ford Mondeo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Ford Mondeo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Ford Mondeo than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Wipers1.8× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  6.2% All 2021 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Number plates3× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  2.4% All 2021 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

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 2021 Ford Mondeo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Ford Mondeo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  26% 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
  14% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  1% 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.

Known faults on the 2021 Ford Mondeo

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

  1.0 petrol (EcoBoost and non-turbo)

  Ford’s 1.0 three-cylinder petrol uses a timing belt that runs in the engine oil on most cars. If oil changes are late or the wrong oil is used, the belt breaks down and sheds rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some later cars have a timing chain instead: a Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN. Ford’s change interval is 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the belt isn’t covered by warranty.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history with the right oil, and when the belt was changed. An oil-pressure warning light, a rattle or a rough idle are warning signs.

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

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

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Ford Mondeo

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

1. Has the timing belt been changed, and is there a full service history with the right oil?
2. Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
3. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2021 Ford Mondeo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2021 Ford Mondeo as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?