2004 Ford Mondeo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Ford Mondeo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Ford Mondeo petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Rigid brake pipes1.7× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  29.2% All 2004 cars

  17.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

• Sub-frame bushes13.4× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  6.7% All 2004 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Ball joint dust cover2.1× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  9.8% All 2004 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.8% of all 2004 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.

• Flexible brake hoses1.9× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  10.4% All 2004 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 2004 Ford Mondeo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Ford Mondeo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  52% 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.

• Suspension
  45% 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
  35% 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
  31% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  20% 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
  13% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Ford Mondeo petrol

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 1.7× as often on the 2004 Ford Mondeo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 13.4× as often on the 2004 Ford Mondeo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2004 Ford Mondeo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?