2013 Ford Tourneo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Ford Tourneo?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Ford Tourneo than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Rigid brake pipes6× usual
  Ford Tourneo

  24.5% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
  Ford Tourneo

  18.1% All 2013 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.7% of all 2013 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints4.3× usual
  Ford Tourneo

  12.1% All 2013 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Individual direction indicators4.1× usual
  Ford Tourneo

  6.9% All 2013 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

• Power steering pipes and hoses35× usual
  Ford Tourneo

  3.5% All 2013 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0% of all 2013 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.

Common 2013 Ford Tourneo MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Ford Tourneo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  44% 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
  34% 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
  26% 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
  24% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  12% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  10% 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 2013 Ford Tourneo

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Ford Tourneo

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 rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2013 Ford Tourneo as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2013 Ford Tourneo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2013 Ford Tourneo as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?