Ford Mustang: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Ford Mustang passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 7.6 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 12,005 individual Ford Mustang tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate84.3%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+7.6 points
Tests analysed12,005
Average mileage at test37,283 miles
Average year of manufacture2015
Reliability rank1,284 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 84.3% first-time pass rate means roughly 16 in every 100 Ford Mustangs presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Ford Mustang tested had covered 37,283 miles and was built around 2015.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Ford Mustang sits 7.6 points above the national average, ranked 1,284 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Ford Mustang rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Ford Mustangs at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Ford Mustang

  1. Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value, 1.8% of tests (4.89x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Parking brake inoperative on one side, 2.4% of tests (4.09x the national rate for this defect)
  3. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.8% of tests (4.06x the national rate for this defect)
  4. Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment, 0.6% of tests (2.79x the national rate for this defect)
  5. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 3.2% of tests (2.45x the national rate for this defect)
  6. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.6% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
  7. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.3% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect)
  8. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.8% of tests (1.27x the national rate for this defect)
  9. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 2% of tests
  10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1.8% of tests

From 11,986 DVSA-tracked Ford Mustang tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 6.95% of these flagged Ford Mustang defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Ford Mustang

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Ford Mustang before it actually fails on it.

  1. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 1.4% of tests (2.17x the national rate for this advisory)
  2. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 21.5% of tests, also fails
  3. A tyre seriously damaged, 11.7% of tests
  4. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 7.7% of tests
  5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 5% of tests
  6. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 4.2% of tests
  7. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 2.2% of tests
  8. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.2% of tests
  9. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1% of tests
  10. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 0.9% of tests

From 11,986 DVSA-tracked Ford Mustang tests, 2024.

Ford Mustang pass rate by model year

From its 2005 to its 2021 model year, the Ford Mustang's first-time pass rate has risen 2.9 points, from 86.7% to 89.6%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each Ford Mustang year:

Other Ford models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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Ford Mustang MOT pass rate badge: 84.3%

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Ford Mustang most common MOT failure: Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.8% of tests)

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate