Diesel Ford Mondeo: MOT pass rate

72.9% of diesel Ford Mondeos pass the MOT first time, measured across 152,062 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 121,151.

Diesel against the other Ford Mondeo versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Ford Mondeo specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 88.5%, and this diesel version sits 0.2 points above the 72.7% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Ford Mondeo had covered 121,151 miles at test, against 98,064 for the petrol and 71,376 for the hybrid and 120,151 for the electric. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Ford Mondeo page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Ford Mondeo

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 1.8% of tests (5.15x the national rate for this defect)
2. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.2% of tests (2.14x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.4% of tests (2.02x the national rate for this defect)
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 3.5% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 4.7% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
6. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.3% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
7. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.4% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.7% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 6.6% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)
10. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 1.6% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this defect)

From 152,805 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford Mondeo tests, 2024, split out from the Ford Mondeo's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.77% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Ford Mondeo

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 20.8% of tests (4.02x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 11.6% of tests (2.46x the national rate for this defect)
3. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 5.1% of tests (1.81x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.4% of tests (1.77x the national rate for this defect)
5. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.2% of tests (1.6x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 20.3% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 38.8% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 13.6% of tests (1.45x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 16.8% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect)
10. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)

From 152,805 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford Mondeo tests, 2024.

Other Ford Mondeo fuel types

• Petrol Ford Mondeo - 70.2%
• Hybrid Ford Mondeo - 88.5%
• Electric Ford Mondeo - 87.5%

All Ford Mondeo MOT data · Every model