2002 Ford Mondeo MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 55.3% of Ford Mondeos first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. Across 5,262 Mondeo first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, brakes and lamps and electrical equipment.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Mondeos first used in 2002 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
55.3%
of 1,285 first tests; all cars first used in 2002: 59.5%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
5,262
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,285 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
19.1%
of 1,285 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
108,500
middle half: 84,500–136,000 miles; all cars first used in 2002: 102,000

How the 2002 Ford Mondeo MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Mondeos first used in 2002 against all cars first used in 2002 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Mondeo figure was 4.2 points lower.

2002 MondeoAll cars first used in 2002
50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2002, test year 2021: 54.4%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2022: 56.2%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2023: 57.5%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2024: 58%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2025: 59.5%2002 Mondeo, test year 2021: 53%2002 Mondeo, test year 2022: 55.5%2002 Mondeo, test year 2023: 54.8%2002 Mondeo, test year 2024: 56%2002 Mondeo, test year 2025: 55.3%59.5%55.3%
View this chart as a table
Test year2002 MondeoAll cars first used 2002Mondeo first tests
202153.0%54.4%3,901
202255.5%56.2%2,915
202354.8%57.5%2,270
202456.0%58.0%1,707
202555.3%59.5%1,285

Common 2002 Ford Mondeo MOT failures

Share of the 2,353 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Suspension44.5%
Brakes42.1%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment36.5%
Body, chassis, structure17.7%
Visibility17.1%
Noise, emissions and leaks16.5%
Tyres16.0%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems7.7%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements14.8%349
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength10.0%236
Coil spring: fractured or broken9.8%230
Position lamp: not working9.3%220
Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side8.7%204

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Mondeo in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Coil spring: fractured or brokenCoil spring replacement£248£175–£400
Parking brake performance: inoperative on one sideHandbrake cable replacement£105£75–£150

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2002 Ford Mondeo before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  3. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.

Common 2002 Ford Mondeo MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2002 Mondeos, as a share of all 5,262 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material24.0%1,265
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive18.2%957
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.7%827
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened12.6%662
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing11.0%579

Questions about the 2002 Ford Mondeo MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2002 Ford Mondeo?

In 2025, 55.3% of Mondeos first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2002 Mondeo most often fail its MOT on?

Suspension (in 44.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (42.1%) and lamps and electrical equipment (36.5%). The single most common item was “Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements” (14.8%).

How often does a 2002 Ford Mondeo fail its MOT?

In 2025, 44.7% of first tests on Mondeos first used in 2002 did not pass first time: 38.1% failed, and a further 6.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,353 of 5,262 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2002 Ford Mondeo MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 24.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (18.2%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (15.7%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.6%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.0%).

Is a 2002 Ford Mondeo reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 53.0% in 2021 to 55.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2002

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2002 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2002 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2002 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2002 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2002 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics

How the 2002 Ford Mondeo MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2002 Mondeo” means a Ford Mondeo whose date of first use falls in 2002 (51, 02 and 52 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2002, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.