Ford Mustang common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Ford Mustang, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 45,458 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1978 Ford Mustang
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. 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 Mustang as a whole.
What to check on a 1978 car
- Rust and structure
Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.
- MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy
Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.
- Paperwork
Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.
- Originality
Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.
- Insurance
Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.
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).
202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200120001999199719961995199419781972
What usually goes wrong with a Ford Mustang?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Ford Mustang in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Ford Mustang MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Handbrake performance
up to 22× usualStands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Rough price £80–£300 our estimateAt the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.
Wheel bearings
up to 6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2016 and 2017.
Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
Ford Mustang MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2008 Ford Mustang did best (83% passed first time, 26 points above all 2008 cars) and the 2019 did worst (84%, 1 point below all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 84% | 92% -8 | 109 (small sample) |
| 2022 | 90% | 89% +1 | 5,384 |
| 2021 | 90% | 87% +3 | 6,040 |
| 2020 | 87% | 87% +0 | 3,169 |
| 2019 | 84% | 85% -1 | 3,619 |
| 2018 | 83% | 83% +0 | 6,227 |
| 2017 | 83% | 80% +3 | 5,628 |
| 2016 | 82% | 77% +5 | 7,630 |
| 2015 | 85% | 74% +11 | 1,035 |
| 2014 | 85% | 70% +15 | 325 (small sample) |
| 2013 | 87% | 67% +20 | 333 (small sample) |
| 2012 | 82% | 64% +18 | 292 (small sample) |
| 2011 | 78% | 62% +16 | 250 (small sample) |
| 2010 | 85% | 60% +25 | 319 (small sample) |
| 2009 | 84% | 59% +25 | 285 (small sample) |
| 2008 | 83% | 57% +26 | 651 |
| 2007 | 83% | 57% +26 | 875 |
| 2006 | 82% | 56% +26 | 829 |
| 2005 | 81% | 57% +24 | 997 |
| 2004 | 78% | 57% +21 | 186 (small sample) |
| 2003 | 84% | 57% +27 | 148 (small sample) |
| 2001 | 77% | 60% +17 | 128 (small sample) |
| 2000 | 70% | 61% +9 | 154 (small sample) |
| 1999 | 81% | 63% +18 | 144 (small sample) |
| 1997 | 86% | 65% +21 | 108 (small sample) |
| 1996 | 78% | 66% +12 | 194 (small sample) |
| 1995 | 74% | 67% +7 | 204 (small sample) |
| 1994 | 79% | 67% +12 | 195 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Ford Mustang
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the handbrake performance? (Flagged at MOT 22× as often on the Ford Mustang as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the Ford Mustang as on other cars the same age.)
- 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, 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