1997 Ford Mondeo — MOT failures & pass rate
1,512 MOT tests on the 1997 Ford Mondeo are in this dataset, and 71.8% of them passed. That is 1.3 percentage points worse than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.9%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 15.8% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 136 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.1% versus 15.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.3% in 2021 to 25.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.8% | 239 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.7% | 177 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 143 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 105 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.9% | 89 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 85 |
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 | 136 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 89 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 81 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 78 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 76 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 69 |
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 | 40.7% | 615 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.0% | 589 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.5% | 340 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 218 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.8% | 209 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.6% | 205 |
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 | 33 | 15.2% |
| 30-60k | 221 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 475 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 393 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 215 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 172 | 33.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,406 | 27.9% |
| Diesel | 106 | 32.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 481 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 370 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 264 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 223 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 174 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Mondeo
On a 1997 Mondeo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.8% 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.
- Brakes (11.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% 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 1997 Ford Mondeos pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 1,512 1997 Ford Mondeo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Ford Mondeo?
Suspension, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by brakes (11.7%).
Does the 1997 Mondeo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 0-30k band to 33.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,512 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.