2018 Ford Mustang — MOT failures & pass rate
11,989 MOT tests on the 2018 Ford Mustang are in this dataset, and 88.4% of them passed. That is 2.5 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 9.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.4%) and brakes (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), wipers and tread depth — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 353 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.3% in the 0-30k band and 30.0% in the 90-120k band, a 20.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.4% | 531 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.3% | 521 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.3% | 395 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 226 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.9% | 104 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 92 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 353 |
| 2 | Wipers | 310 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 294 |
| 4 | Parking brake performance | 193 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 175 |
| 6 | Washers | 153 |
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 | 19.4% | 2,325 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 975 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.1% | 369 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 254 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.8% | 221 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 124 |
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 | 8,173 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 3,370 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 394 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 40 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,562 | 8.6% |
| 2022 | 2,375 | 9.7% |
| 2023 | 2,396 | 12.6% |
| 2024 | 2,324 | 14.4% |
| 2025 | 2,332 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Mustang
On a 2018 Mustang, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.4% 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.
- Brakes (4.3% 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.
- Visibility (3.3% 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 2018 Ford Mustangs pass their MOT?
88.4% of the 11,989 2018 Ford Mustang MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Ford Mustang?
Tyres, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by brakes (4.3%).
Does the 2018 Mustang get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,989 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.