2018 Ford Mustang MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 83.6% of Ford Mustangs first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 6,341 Mustang first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, tyres and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Mustangs first used in 2018 (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
How the 2018 Ford Mustang MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Mustangs first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Mustang figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Mustang | All cars first used 2018 | Mustang first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88.7% | 87.6% | 2,367 |
| 2022 | 86.7% | 86.3% | 2,168 |
| 2023 | 83.8% | 84.2% | 2,125 |
| 2024 | 82.5% | 82.5% | 2,103 |
| 2025 | 83.6% | 80.9% | 2,113 |
Common 2018 Ford Mustang MOT failures
Share of the 1,058 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 18.2% | 193 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 15.5% | 164 |
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | 13.1% | 139 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 12.1% | 128 |
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value | 10.6% | 112 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Mustang in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | Handbrake 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 2018 Ford Mustang before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- 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.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2018 Ford Mustang MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Mustangs, as a share of all 6,341 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.1% | 829 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.8% | 368 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 5.2% | 328 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 4.3% | 271 |
| Nail in tyre | 1.9% | 119 |
Questions about the 2018 Ford Mustang MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Ford Mustang?
In 2025, 83.6% of Mustangs first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Mustang most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes (in 41.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (29.6%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (24.0%). The single most common item was “Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements” (18.2%).
How often does a 2018 Ford Mustang fail its MOT?
In 2025, 16.4% of first tests on Mustangs first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 14.2% failed, and a further 2.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,058 of 6,341 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Ford Mustang MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.8%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (5.2%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (4.3%) and “Nail in tyre” (1.9%).
Is a 2018 Ford Mustang 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 88.7% in 2021 to 83.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
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