2006 Ford Galaxy petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Ford Galaxy petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Ford Galaxy petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  17.7% All 2006 cars

  9.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Suspension arm3.1× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  9.7% All 2006 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Link ball joint covers2.2× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  7.5% All 2006 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2006 Ford Galaxy petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Ford Galaxy petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  54% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  40% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  38% 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.

• Tyres
  36% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  23% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  11% 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.

Known faults on the 2006 Ford Galaxy petrol

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.

• Steering column clunk and power steering pump failure

  All engines

  A clunk from the steering column is common and often comes back after a fix, and power steering pumps fail.

  At the viewing: Turn the wheel at a standstill and on the move, and listen.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Galaxy (2006-2015) reliability

• Stiff brake pedal and diesel cut-out recalls

  Some cars

  Recalls covered overly stiff brake pedals and diesels cutting out.

  At the viewing: Ask a Ford dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Galaxy (2006-2015) reliability

• Alarm faults, loose trim and door seals

  All engines

  The alarm is a recurring electrical fault, and trim and door seals don't stay in place.

  At the viewing: Test the alarm and look at the door seals.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Galaxy (2006-2015) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Ford Galaxy petrol

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

1. Has the steering column or power steering pump been replaced?
2. Have the brake pedal and diesel recalls been done?
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2006 Ford Galaxy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2006 Ford Galaxy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2006 Ford Galaxy petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?