2010 Ford Mustang — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 577 MOT tests, the 2010 Ford Mustang recorded an 87.0% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 19.3% of the time, so this is 6.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.8% of all tests — 5.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, individual direction indicators and registration plates — headlamp aim alone was recorded 28 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.1% once past 90-120k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 14.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 16.7% in 2021 to 10.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 51 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.8% | 22 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.6% | 21 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 15 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.3% | 13 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.3% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 28 |
| 2 | Individual direction indicators | 26 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 19 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 17 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 16 |
| 6 | Washers | 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 | Brakes | 14.4% | 83 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 79 |
| 3 | Tyres | 13.3% | 77 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 39 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.1% | 35 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 19 |
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 | 65 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 224 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 190 | 16.3% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 15.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 102 | 16.7% |
| 2022 | 126 | 15.1% |
| 2023 | 117 | 8.6% |
| 2024 | 122 | 14.8% |
| 2025 | 110 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Mustang
On a 2010 Mustang, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.8% 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.
- Visibility (3.6% 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 2010 Ford Mustangs pass their MOT?
87.0% of the 577 2010 Ford Mustang MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Ford Mustang?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by brakes (3.8%).
Does the 2010 Mustang get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 15.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 577 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.