2008 Ford Mondeo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Suspension arm5.6× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  16.3% All 2008 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, 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.

• Sub-frame2.1× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  12.8% All 2008 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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.

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

  17.3% All 2008 cars

  10.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, 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.

• Brake pads1.6× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  14.1% All 2008 cars

  8.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, 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.

• Exhaust system1.6× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  13.6% All 2008 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, 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 Mondeo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Ford Mondeo 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.

• Tyres
  39% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  16% 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
  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 2008 Ford Mondeo 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.

• Brake assist recall (early 2.0 TDCi)

  2.0 TDCi built Nov 2008 to Mar 2009

  2.0 TDCi diesels built between November 2008 and March 2009 were recalled because brake assistance could drop while the engine warmed up.

  At the viewing: Use the GOV.UK vehicle recall checker or ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford Mondeo Mk4 buying guide

• Heavy or uneven power steering

  Power steering problems, often from a blocked filter, can make the steering heavy or the assistance uneven.

  At the viewing: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parking and at low speed. It should feel smooth and evenly light.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford Mondeo Mk4 buying guide

• Air-con condenser failure

  The air-conditioning condenser was a common failure; many were replaced under warranty.

  At the viewing: Run the air-con on its coldest setting. It should blow cold within a minute or two.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford Mondeo Mk4 buying guide

• Windows and central locking playing up

  Electric windows can open by themselves after the car has been left locked, and the remote locking can be temperamental. New key batteries sometimes fix it; a new coded key costs around £150.

  At the viewing: Lock and unlock several times with the remote and check every window closes fully.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Ford Mondeo Mk4 buying guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Ford Mondeo diesel

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

1. Has the brake recall work been done?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 5.6× as often on the 2008 Ford Mondeo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2008 Ford Mondeo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2008 Ford Mondeo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?