Ford Mondeo Mk4: best and worst years, and what goes wrong
How each year of the Ford Mondeo Mk4 did at the MOTs done during 2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 94,858 MOT tests.
Which Ford Mondeo Mk4 years are best and worst at their MOT?
First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Ford Mondeo Mk4, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | Stands out | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 55% | 57% -2 | Suspension arm 3.7× usual | 8,468 |
| 2008 | 55% | 57% -2 | Suspension arm 5.6× usual | 11,111 |
| 2009 | 58% | 58% +0 | Suspension arm 5× usual | 12,469 |
| 2010 | 58% | 59% -1 | Suspension arm 4.3× usual | 13,267 |
| 2011 | 63% | 61% +2 | Suspension arm 3.9× usual | 11,954 |
| 2012 | 64% | 63% +1 | Suspension arm 5.1× usual | 14,655 |
| 2013 | 65% | 66% -1 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.9× usual | 11,904 |
| 2014* | 68% | 69% -1 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 2× usual | 11,030 |
Common Ford Mondeo Mk4 MOT failures, year after year
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.
- Suspension armup to 5.6× usual
Stands out in 7 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Sub-frameup to 2.1× usual
Stands out in 7 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
- Exhaust systemup to 1.8× usual
Stands out in 5 years: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007.
Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.
- Suspension arm bushes and jointsup to 1.9× usual
Stands out in 4 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Number plate lightsup to 2.1× usual
Stands out in 3 years: 2013, 2012, 2011.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
- Brake padsup to 1.7× usual
Stands out in 3 years: 2010, 2009, 2008.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
What usually goes wrong with the Ford Mondeo Mk4?
From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.
Heavy or uneven power steering
Power steering problems, often from a blocked filter, can make the steering heavy or the assistance uneven.
Check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parking and at low speed. It should feel smooth and evenly light.
Air-con condenser failure
The air-conditioning condenser was a common failure; many were replaced under warranty.
Check: Run the air-con on its coldest setting. It should blow cold within a minute or two.
Windows and central locking playing up
Electric windows can open by themselves after the car has been left locked, and the remote locking can be temperamental. New key batteries sometimes fix it; a new coded key costs around £150.
Check: Lock and unlock several times with the remote and check every window closes fully.
Brake assist recall (early 2.0 TDCi)
2.0 TDCi diesels built between November 2008 and March 2009 were recalled because brake assistance could drop while the engine warmed up.
Check: Use the GOV.UK vehicle recall checker or ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN.
Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)
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.
Check: 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
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score
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