Used car guide

2013 Ford Mustang: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Ford Mustang first registered in 2013: we looked at the 333 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 333 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

333MOTs of 2013 cars, done in 2023–2025
87%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%)
5,000typical miles a year
12%had lights and electrics flagged

Common 2013 Ford Mustang MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Ford Mustang MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    11% 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
    10% 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
    10% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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
    2% 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 2013 Ford Mustang

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Ford Mustang?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Ford Mustang compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023112Tyres 21%
20225,389Tyres 24%
20216,045Tyres 26%
20203,175Tyres 19%
20193,619Tyres 20%
20186,227Tyres 23%
20175,628Tyres 23%
20167,630Tyres 24%
20151,035Tyres 21%
2014325Lights and electrics 12%
2012292Tyres 15%
2011250Suspension 18%
2010323Suspension 16%
2009285Suspension 22%
2008651Suspension 21%
2007876Suspension 22%
2006829Suspension 23%
2005997Suspension 24%
2004186Brakes 25%
2003149Brakes 24%
2001128Brakes 23%
2000154Suspension 31%
1999144Suspension 24%
1997108Brakes 26%
1996194Brakes 29%
1995204Brakes 40%
1994195Brakes 35%
1978–Too few tests
1972–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Ford Mustang cars first registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score