1999 Ford Mondeo — MOT failures & pass rate
3,404 MOT tests on the 1999 Ford Mondeo are in this dataset, and 69.9% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 1999 Mondeo comes out 2.5pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 17.0% of all tests — 4.7 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 rigid brake pipes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 351 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.1% in the 0-30k band and 33.1% in the 150k+ band, a 16.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.7% in 2021 to 26.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.0% | 580 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 419 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 377 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 281 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.9% | 235 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 223 |
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 | 351 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 235 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 220 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 207 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 182 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 178 |
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 | 40.3% | 1,371 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.5% | 1,309 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.9% | 745 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 543 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 501 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 478 |
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 | 70 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 431 | 23.9% |
| 60-90k | 894 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 969 | 31.3% |
| 120-150k | 590 | 36.1% |
| 150k+ | 447 | 33.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,251 | 30.3% |
| Diesel | 153 | 26.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,053 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 804 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 666 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 475 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 406 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Mondeo
On a 1999 Mondeo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.0% 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.
- Brakes (12.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% 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 1999 Ford Mondeos pass their MOT?
69.9% of the 3,404 1999 Ford Mondeo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Ford Mondeo?
Suspension, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 1999 Mondeo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 33.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,404 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.