1997 Ford Galaxy — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1997 Ford Galaxy passed 71.4% of its 409 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.1 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 30.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.4%) and suspension (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, steering rack and rigid brake pipes — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.6% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 36.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.1% in 2021 to 25.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 59 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 53 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 48 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.8% | 44 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 31 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.1% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 40 |
| 2 | Steering rack | 25 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 25 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 22 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 21 |
| 6 | Wipers | 18 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 42.3% | 173 |
| 2 | Suspension | 41.6% | 170 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.5% | 129 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.8% | 81 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 75 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.9% | 69 |
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 | 56 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 115 | 26.1% |
| 120-150k | 77 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 136 | 36.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 304 | 27.3% |
| Diesel | 105 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 133 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 99 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 77 | 32.5% |
| 2024 | 56 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 44 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Galaxy
On a 1997 Galaxy, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.0% 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 (11.7% 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 1997 Ford Galaxys pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 409 1997 Ford Galaxy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Ford Galaxy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.0%).
Does the 1997 Galaxy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.6% in the 60-90k band to 36.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 409 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.