2018 Ford Freedom — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,510 MOT tests analysed for the 2018 Ford Freedom, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 86.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (89.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.7% in the 150k+ group versus 9.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 5.8% | 87 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.0% | 61 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 56 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.0% | 46 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 44 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.7% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 80 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 53 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 38 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 34 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 22 |
| 6 | Washers | 22 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.5% | 340 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 161 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.8% | 118 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.6% | 85 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 45 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 44 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 848 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 439 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 130 | 16.2% |
| 90-120k | 41 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 30 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 291 | 10.7% |
| 2022 | 310 | 16.1% |
| 2023 | 307 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 291 | 12.0% |
| 2025 | 311 | 15.8% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Freedom
Before buying a 2018 Ford Freedom, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 5.8% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (5.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (4.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (3.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2018 Ford Freedoms pass their MOT?
86.6% of the 1,510 2018 Ford Freedom MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Ford Freedom?
Visibility, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by tyres (4.0%).
Does the 2018 Freedom get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 36.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,510 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.