2011 Ford Fusion diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Ford Fusion diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Ford Fusion diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Rigid brake pipes4.3× usual
  Ford Fusion

  24.5% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Engine oil leaks2× usual
  Ford Fusion

  14.9% All 2011 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Brake lights2.3× usual
  Ford Fusion

  9.2% All 2011 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 3.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Rear fog light4.9× usual
  Ford Fusion

  3.9% All 2011 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2011 Ford Fusion diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Ford Fusion diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  37% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  28% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Suspension
  22% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  17% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  12% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2011 Ford Fusion diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Water leaking into the cabin

  All engines

  Faulty pollen filter seals can let water into the cabin.

  At the viewing: Feel the front carpets for damp.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Fusion (2002-2012) reliability

• Diesel pipework faults

  Diesel

  Some turbodiesels have had faulty pipework.

  At the viewing: Look for leaks and check for lost power.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Fusion (2002-2012) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Ford Fusion diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2011 Ford Fusion diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2011 Ford Fusion diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2011 Ford Fusion diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?