Ford Mustang MOT Failures
An analysis of 84,091 real DVSA MOT tests on the Ford Mustang — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: SN95 (1994–2004), S197 (2005–2014), S550 (2015–2023).
Where the Ford Mustang fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Ford Mustang is wheel bearings worn — this model is 18 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 84,091 MOT tests, 5.21% of all Ford Mustang tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include anti-roll bar links worn (12x the fleet average), exhaust system damage (58x the fleet average), parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (35x the fleet average), and parking brake inoperative on one side (25x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Ford Mustang's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Bodywork, Brakes, Steering, Exhaust & Emissions and others. If you're inspecting a Ford Mustang before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Ford Mustang's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Ford Mustang specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are exhaust system damage (26x the average) and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (25x). parking brake inoperative on one side (25x) and wheel bearings worn (18x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Ford Mustang specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (24x the average) and parking brake inoperative on one side (19x). track rod ends worn (11x) and anti-roll bar links worn (9.6x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Ford Mustang specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are track rod ends worn (8.9x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (6.9x). wheel bearings worn (6.5x) and wheel bearings worn also appear frequently.
The shift from exhaust system damage at lower mileages to track rod ends worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Ford Mustang specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Parking brake system failure Major
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. Affects S197, S550; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Premature wheel bearing failure Major
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. Affects S197, S550; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Suspension component wear (S197/S550)
MOT data shows suspension pins, bushes and joints failing at rates up to 17.2x higher than the fleet average across multiple Mustang variants. Affects S197, S550; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£350.
Exhaust system excessive noise
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. Affects S550; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Ford Mustang common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Ford Mustang
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Ford Mustang:
Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, anti-roll bar links worn. Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage. Brakes — check for parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r..., parking brake inoperative on one side.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about parking brake system failure and premature wheel bearing failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Ford Mustang?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Ford Mustang MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Ford Mustang?
Based on 84,091 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is wheel bearings worn — at 18x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include anti-roll bar links worn and exhaust system damage.
Is the Ford Mustang reliable based on MOT data?
The Ford Mustang has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag parking brake system failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Ford Mustang most commonly fails on track rod ends worn and anti-roll bar links worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are exhaust system damage and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r....
How do I check a Ford Mustang's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.