2012 Ford Mondeo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Ford Mondeo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Ford Mondeo diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  16.8% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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.

• Suspension arm4.6× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  8.8% All 2012 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

• Number plate lights2× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  13.4% All 2012 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Brake pads1.6× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  15.1% All 2012 cars

  9.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.3% of all 2012 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.

• Sub-frame2× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  7.1% All 2012 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Ford Mondeo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Ford Mondeo diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  44% 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
  38% 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
  31% 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
  27% 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
  9% 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
  8% 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 2012 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.

• 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 2012 Ford Mondeo 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2012 Ford Mondeo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2012 Ford Mondeo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 Ford Mondeo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?