2014 Ford Mondeo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Ford Mondeo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Ford Mondeo petrol than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  6.2% All 2014 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.9% of all 2014 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 arm2.4× usual
  Ford Mondeo

  2.6% All 2014 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

Common 2014 Ford Mondeo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Ford Mondeo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Brakes
  26% 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
  24% 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
  14% 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
  6% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2014 Ford Mondeo 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.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

  1.0 petrol (EcoBoost and non-turbo)

  Ford’s 1.0 three-cylinder petrol uses a timing belt that runs in the engine oil on most cars. If oil changes are late or the wrong oil is used, the belt breaks down and sheds rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some later cars have a timing chain instead: a Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN. Ford’s change interval is 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the belt isn’t covered by warranty.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history with the right oil, and when the belt was changed. An oil-pressure warning light, a rattle or a rough idle are warning signs.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

• 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 2014 Ford Mondeo petrol

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

1. Has the timing belt been changed, and is there a full service history with the right oil?
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2014 Ford Mondeo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2014 Ford Mondeo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?