American V8 muscle, now in proper right-hand drive
The Ford Mustang became available in right-hand drive for the first time in 2015, bringing American muscle car culture to UK roads. It offers a uniquely bold, V8-powered driving experience that nothing else in its price range can match, appealing to enthusiasts who want drama, presence, and that iconic exhaust note. The 2.3 EcoBoost was dropped due to low sales — UK buyers overwhelmingly chose the V8, proving the Mustang's appeal is all about the full-fat experience.
We track 5 known issues across the Ford Mustang range, with 2 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Ford Mustang? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
SN95 (1994–2004) — Engine options included the 3.8L V6, 4.6L V8.
S197 (2005–2014) — Engine options included the 4.0L V6, 4.6L V8, 5.0L V8, 5.4L Supercharged V8. We track 4 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Parking brake system failure (£400–£800 to address).
S550 (2015–2023) — Engine options included the 2.3L EcoBoost I4, 5.0L Coyote V8, 5.0L Supercharged V8. We track 4 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Parking brake system failure (£400–£800 to address).
The electronic parking brake system on Mustangs shows exceptionally high failure rates in UK MOT data, with efficiency dropping below the required 50% threshold at rates up to 38x higher than the fleet average. The system uses electric actuators on the rear brake calipers that commonly fail due to corrosion of internal mechanisms and seized actuator motors. This is particularly problematic on S550 generation cars with the 5.0L engine where failures peak in the 20-40k mile range.
Complete parking brake failure means the car cannot be safely parked on inclines and will fail its MOT test. Electronic actuator replacement typically requires dealer-level diagnostics and programming. In emergency situations, the driver may not be able to apply the parking brake if the electronic system fails.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Mustangs exhibit wheel bearing failures at rates up to 34x higher than the UK fleet average, particularly affecting 5.0L variants in the 20-40k mile range. The combination of performance-oriented suspension geometry, wider tyres, and higher cornering loads places additional stress on the hub assemblies. Front bearings are most commonly affected, though all four corners can fail prematurely compared to typical family cars.
A collapsed wheel bearing can cause the wheel to seize or detach, creating an immediate safety hazard. Early intervention allows for bearing replacement without hub damage. Delayed repair can require complete hub assembly replacement and may damage the suspension upright, significantly increasing costs.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
MOT data shows suspension pins, bushes and joints failing at rates up to 17.2x higher than the fleet average across multiple Mustang variants. The performance-oriented suspension setup uses larger anti-roll bars and stiffer bushings that are more susceptible to wear from spirited driving. Lower control arm bushings, anti-roll bar drop links, and ball joints are the most commonly affected components, with failures spanning from very low mileages on the 4.6L variants.
Worn suspension components compromise handling precision and can affect tyre wear patterns. While not immediately dangerous, continued driving with severely worn bushings can accelerate wear of other suspension components and reduce the effectiveness of the car's safety systems like ABS and stability control.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 5.0L Mustang shows exhaust noise failures at 57.5x the UK fleet average, primarily on low-mileage examples in the 0-40k range. This typically results from aftermarket exhaust modifications that exceed UK noise regulations, but can also occur due to factory active exhaust valve failures or damaged rear silencers. UK MOT noise limits are stricter than many other markets, making US-specification or modified exhausts likely to fail.
Excessive exhaust noise will result in immediate MOT failure and the car cannot be legally driven on UK roads until rectified. Owners may need to fit UK-compliant silencers or revert to the original exhaust system, which can be costly if the original parts were not retained.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
Fourth and fifth generation Mustangs show steering rack gaiter failures at rates up to 22.9x higher than the fleet average, particularly affecting 4.0L variants in the 40-60k mile range. The rubber gaiters that protect the steering rack internals from dirt and moisture commonly split or perish, allowing contamination that can lead to premature rack wear and eventual steering failure if left unaddressed.
Split gaiters allow dirt and water to contaminate the steering rack internals, leading to accelerated wear of the rack and pinion mechanism. Early replacement of the gaiters is inexpensive, but delayed repair can result in complete rack failure requiring full steering rack replacement at significantly higher cost.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Ford Mustang common problems page.
Based on 66k real DVSA MOT tests, the Ford Mustang fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is exhaust system damage at 58x the fleet average, followed by parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (35x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Ford Mustang MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 8k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Ford Mustang service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Ford Mustang is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. The 2018-2020 facelift models are the sweet spot, gaining the 10-speed automatic gearbox, revised suspension, improved interior quality, and the Magneride adaptive dampers on GT models. The 2015-2017 cars are more affordable but have the older 6-speed auto and slightly less refined chassis. For the current S650 generation (2024+), the V8 is the only option, which simplifies the choice.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Ford Mustang, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Ford Mustang issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.