2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E passed 92.8% of its 5,837 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.2%, so the 2021 Mustang Mach-E sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 5.6% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 215 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Mustang Mach-E fails 5.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 4.2% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 2.6% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 327 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 115 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.9% | 55 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.4% | 26 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.3% | 16 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 215 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 141 |
| 3 | Wipers | 38 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 27 |
| 5 | Washers | 27 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 14 |
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 | 22.9% | 1,338 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.8% | 282 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.5% | 264 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 128 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 61 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 21 |
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 | 2,627 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,671 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 490 | 10.4% |
| 90-120k | 48 | 4.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | 5,446 | 7.2% |
| Petrol | 391 | 7.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 38 | 2.6% |
| 2024 | 2,840 | 6.9% |
| 2025 | 2,957 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Mustang Mach-E
On a 2021 Mustang Mach-E, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-Es pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 5,837 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.0%).
Does the 2021 Mustang Mach-E get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 4.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,837 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.