2006 Ford Galaxy — MOT failures & pass rate
15,952 MOT tests on the 2006 Ford Galaxy are in this dataset, and 68.3% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.7% of the time, so this is 2.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.8%) and lighting & signalling (17.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, suspension arm and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 1,329 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 Galaxy fails 33.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 32.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.2 points.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.1pp more often than petrol ones (32.0% vs 27.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.8% | 2,996 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 2,779 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.3% | 1,799 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 1,541 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.1% | 1,139 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.5% | 722 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,329 |
| 2 | Suspension arm | 922 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 885 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 880 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 781 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 773 |
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 | 45.2% | 7,214 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.5% | 5,819 |
| 3 | Tyres | 32.3% | 5,159 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.7% | 3,147 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 2,963 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 2,718 |
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 | 60 | 33.3% |
| 30-60k | 171 | 16.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,025 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,222 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 5,093 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 6,289 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,872 | 32.0% |
| Petrol | 1,080 | 27.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,760 | 31.5% |
| 2022 | 4,056 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 3,138 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 2,354 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 1,644 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Galaxy
On a 2006 Galaxy, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2006 Ford Galaxys pass their MOT?
68.3% of the 15,952 2006 Ford Galaxy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Ford Galaxy?
Suspension, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.4%).
Does the 2006 Galaxy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,952 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.