2021 Ford Galaxy — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,437 MOT tests, the 2021 Ford Galaxy recorded an 84.2% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 10.4% of the time, so this is 5.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests against 5.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, brake pads and tread depth — headlamp alone was recorded 249 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.9% once past 90-120k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.1% of tests failed in 2023 against 14.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 359 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.9% | 202 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.6% | 123 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 72 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 67 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.7% | 59 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 249 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 126 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 108 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 104 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 57 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim not tested | 55 |
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 | 22.6% | 778 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.4% | 528 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.3% | 285 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 104 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 85 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.3% | 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 | 1,063 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,468 | 18.5% |
| 60-90k | 817 | 17.5% |
| 90-120k | 69 | 15.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,273 | 16.3% |
| Petrol | 106 | 7.5% |
| Hybrid | 58 | 5.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 137 | 13.1% |
| 2024 | 1,619 | 17.1% |
| 2025 | 1,639 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Galaxy
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.9% 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.
- Brakes (3.6% 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 2021 Ford Galaxys pass their MOT?
84.2% of the 3,437 2021 Ford Galaxy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Ford Galaxy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by tyres (5.9%).
Does the 2021 Galaxy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 15.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,437 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.