2011 Ford Mustang — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Ford Mustang passed 81.9% of its 464 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (17.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests against 5.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, individual direction indicators and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 21 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.1% versus 13.1%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 16.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.8% in 2021 to 18.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 54 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.2% | 24 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.2% | 15 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.8% | 13 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.2% | 10 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.2% | 10 |
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 | 21 |
| 2 | Individual direction indicators | 21 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 16 |
| 4 | Side repeaters | 15 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 14 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 12 |
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 | 16.2% | 75 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.3% | 71 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.4% | 67 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 45 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.9% | 18 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 17 |
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 | 84 | 13.1% |
| 30-60k | 150 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 113 | 15.0% |
| 90-120k | 90 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 20.8% |
| 2022 | 93 | 18.3% |
| 2023 | 96 | 15.6% |
| 2024 | 92 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 87 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Mustang
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.2% 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 (3.2% 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 2011 Ford Mustangs pass their MOT?
81.9% of the 464 2011 Ford Mustang MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Ford Mustang?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by brakes (5.2%).
Does the 2011 Mustang get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.1% in the 0-30k band to 21.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 464 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.