Ford Tourneo MOT Failures

An analysis of 179,318 real DVSA MOT tests on the Ford Tourneo — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Mk1 (2006–2015), Mk2 (2013–2021).

Where the Ford Tourneo fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Ford Tourneo is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 19 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 179,318 MOT tests, 4.76% of all Ford Tourneo 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 emissions failure (82x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (19x the fleet average), power steering fault (17x the fleet average), and tyre wear or damage (24x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Ford Tourneo'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 7 categories: Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Seatbelts & Airbags, Steering, Tyres and others. If you're inspecting a Ford Tourneo 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 Tourneo'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 Tourneo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (26x the average) and seat mounting fault (19x). anti-roll bar links worn (18x) and power steering fault (17x) 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 Tourneo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (16x the average) and emissions failure (16x). power steering fault (11x) and seat mounting fault (9.4x) 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 Tourneo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (14x the average) and tyre wear or damage (13x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (12x) and power steering fault (10x) also appear frequently.

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 Tourneo specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Brake pipe corrosion (all variants) Dangerous

Brake pipes corrode prematurely on Tourneo models, with MOT failures at 6.1 times the fleet average. Affects Mk1, Mk2; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£500.

DPF blockage and smoke emissions (2.2 TDCi) Major

The diesel particulate filter (DPF) on 2.2 TDCi variants becomes blocked with soot, particularly on vehicles used for short urban journeys where regeneration cycles cannot complete. Affects Mk1, Mk2; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£2,000.

Suspension bush and joint wear (all variants) Major

Front suspension bushes and joints wear prematurely on Tourneo models, with MOT data showing failures at 19.2 times the fleet average. Affects Mk1, Mk2; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.

Power steering system failure (2.2 TDCi) Major

The hydraulic power steering system on 2.2 TDCi variants suffers from pump failure and high-pressure line deterioration. Affects Mk1, Mk2; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£900.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Ford Tourneo common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Ford Tourneo

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Ford Tourneo:

Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Steering — check for power steering fault.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake pipe corrosion and dpf blockage and smoke emissions. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £150. 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.

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.