2007 Ford Freda — MOT failures & pass rate
633 MOT tests on the 2007 Ford Freda are in this dataset, and 65.9% of them passed. That is 7.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.8%) and suspension (19.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp and rear fog lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 164 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 31.3% in the 60-90k band and 36.3% in the 150k+ band, a 5.1-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 36.8% in 2021 to 31.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 138 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.4% | 123 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 71 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.3% | 59 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 44 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.1% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 164 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 73 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 61 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 52 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 39 |
| 6 | Wipers | 38 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.7% | 213 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.5% | 155 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.0% | 152 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.5% | 130 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.9% | 126 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 104 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 32 | 31.3% |
| 90-120k | 76 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 138 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 380 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 603 | 34.5% |
| Petrol | 30 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 182 | 36.8% |
| 2022 | 162 | 35.8% |
| 2023 | 140 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 83 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 66 | 31.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Freda
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Ford Fredas pass their MOT?
65.9% of the 633 2007 Ford Freda MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Ford Freda?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.8% of tests, followed by suspension (19.4%).
Does the 2007 Freda get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.3% in the 60-90k band to 36.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 633 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.