2007 Ford Mustang — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,619 MOT tests, the 2007 Ford Mustang recorded an 86.7% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.6% of the time, so this is 8.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.7% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are side repeaters, catalyst emissions and track rod end — side repeaters alone was recorded 53 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.6% once past 150k — 3.0× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 17.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 141 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.9% | 80 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.8% | 61 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 46 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.2% | 36 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.6% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Side repeaters | 53 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 47 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 42 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 40 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 40 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
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 | 17.0% | 275 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 203 |
| 3 | Tyres | 12.3% | 199 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.1% | 115 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 107 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.4% | 88 |
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 | 313 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 516 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 404 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 216 | 15.3% |
| 120-150k | 98 | 22.4% |
| 150k+ | 72 | 23.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 314 | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 335 | 15.5% |
| 2023 | 325 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 320 | 12.2% |
| 2025 | 325 | 15.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Mustang
On a 2007 Mustang, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.9% 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.
- Suspension (3.8% 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.
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 2007 Ford Mustangs pass their MOT?
86.7% of the 1,619 2007 Ford Mustang MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Ford Mustang?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.7% of tests, followed by brakes (4.9%).
Does the 2007 Mustang get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 23.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,619 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.