2001 Ford Mondeo 1.8L Petrol · ML51 AGU
2001 Ford Mondeo (1.8L, petrol). First registered 29 Nov 2001. Recorded mileage 249,613 miles. MOT expired on 02 Apr 2024.
- Make & Model
- FORD MONDEO
- Year / Origin
- 2001 · Manchester & Merseyside
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 02 Apr 2024
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (30 Jun 2024)
- Recorded Mileage
- 249,613 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
ML51 AGU Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 25/03/2023
- 249,613 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
ML51 AGU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 2001 Ford Mondeo (ML51 AGU) between April 2022 and March 2023.
The record contains 2 passes and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 1 advisory notice notes an item to monitor.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 1 advisory notice is recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
ML51 AGU Mileage History
- 04/04/2022241,537 mi
- 25/03/2023249,613 mi+8,076 mi
Average of roughly 8,313 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Ford Ford Mondeo Mk3 (CD132)
Our database tracks 6 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. While this 2001 red Mondeo has a long history of passing MOTs, its exceptionally high mileage and history of structural corrosion make it a high-risk purchase.
Given the mileage of nearly 250,000, your primary focus should be on the mechanical health of the 1.8L engine and the state of the chassis. Request a full service history to see if the cambelt and water pump have been replaced recently, as these are critical failure points on older Ford engines. Negotiate the price based on the age and the likelihood of imminent wear-and-tear repairs.
Check for any evidence of previous welding repairs to the sills, as the 2017 MOT recorded excessive corrosion in the rear suspension mounting area. Ensure the current owner can provide proof that this structural work was carried out to a professional standard, as chassis rot is the most common 'end-of-life' cause for this generation of Mondeo.
The 1.8L petrol engine is not particularly fuel-efficient by modern standards, and you can expect modest MPG. As a 2001 model, it will fall into a higher tax bracket than newer vehicles, and insurance will be relatively low due to the car's age and low market value.
Maintenance costs are likely to be higher than average for this model due to the extreme mileage. You should budget for frequent replacements of suspension bushings, brake components, and exhaust sections, all of which have appeared as failures or advisories in this vehicle's history. Estimated annual running costs are approximately £1,200-£1,600 including fuel, tax, and necessary repairs.
Prioritize a thorough inspection of the underside. The MOT history from June 2017 specifically highlights excessive corrosion on the nearside rear outer suspension mounting area (sill), which is a critical safety point. Use a torch to check for bubbling paint or uneven welding in these areas.
Next, examine the exhaust system and suspension. There have been repeated advisories regarding exhaust leaks and loose fittings (2017, 2022), as well as deteriorated suspension arm rubber bushes (2017). Finally, test the parking brake thoroughly; the vehicle has failed multiple MOTs (2012, 2017) due to parking brake efficiency and lack of effort, suggesting a recurring weakness in the rear braking system.
This 1.8L petrol Mondeo has covered a significant 249,613 miles, far exceeding typical usage for its age. The MOT history reveals a vehicle that has been kept on the road through consistent maintenance, but it has suffered from serious issues including sill corrosion and multiple braking system failures. Its value proposition is now primarily as a budget commuter or a project car, given the wear and tear associated with a quarter-million miles.
The early 2000s Mondeo is generally regarded as a robust workhorse, though it is prone to rust in the sills and wheel arches as it ages.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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FORD MONDEO Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2001 model year cars.
- TDCi Injector & DMF FailureSerious
The 2.0 and 2.2 TDCi Duratorq engines use a high-pressure Delphi common-rail fuel system notorious for failing injectors. Excessive leak-off drops common-rail pressure under load, causing flashing glow plug lights, limp-home mode, and cut-outs. Furthermore, the Delphi high-pressure pump can shed microscopic metallic swarf, circulating through the fuel system and destroying all four injectors. Simultaneously, the dual-mass flywheel (DMF) wears prematurely, creating loud metallic rattles and shedding metallic dust into the starter motor.
- Rear Brake Caliper SeizureModerate
The mechanical handbrake mechanism integrated into the rear brake calipers frequently seizes on the Mk3 Mondeo. Road spray, winter salt, and brake dust penetrate past the rubber shaft seals, causing the external operating lever to corrode and stick. When the handbrake is released in the cabin, the return spring fails to pull the caliper lever back to its rest stop, causing the rear brake pads to drag continuously against the disc. This overheats the rear hubs, glazes pads, and causes MOT handbrake imbalance failures.
- Inlet Manifold Swirl Flap FailureSerious
The 1.8 and 2.0 Duratec HE 16V petrol engines feature variable-geometry plastic swirl flaps inside the intake manifold runners to enhance low-end turbulence. Over time, engine heat and vibration wear the plastic flap bearings loose on their square steel operating spindle. The flaps rattle loudly at idle, and eventually fatigue until the plastic flaps or brass screws detach and are sucked into the combustion chambers, causing catastrophic valve, piston, and cylinder wall destruction.
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