2008 Ford Galaxy diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Ford Galaxy diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Ford Galaxy diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Suspension arm4.8× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  13.9% All 2008 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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.

• Sidelights2× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  14.6% All 2008 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 6.3% of all 2008 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.

• Brake pads1.8× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  15.9% All 2008 cars

  8.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  17.6% All 2008 cars

  10.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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.

• Exhaust system1.6× usual
  Ford Galaxy

  14% All 2008 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

Common 2008 Ford Galaxy diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Ford Galaxy diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  57% 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
  41% 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
  40% 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.

• Brakes
  34% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  14% 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 2008 Ford Galaxy 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.

• 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 2008 Ford Galaxy diesel

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 suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 2008 Ford Galaxy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2008 Ford Galaxy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Ford Galaxy diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?