2010 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · AX10 AAF

A clear pattern of suspension and undercarriage wear dominates the MOT history of this 2010 Ford Mondeo, with the most recent test on 22 August 2023 producing a pass but flagging damage to the nearside outer sill. The earlier 2023 test, taken only a week prior, was a fail driven by a dangerous exposed-cord condition on both front tyres, an ABS warning lamp fault, a non-functional registration plate lamp, and a worn trailing arm bush on the nearside rear suspension. Looking back further, the August 2020 test recorded an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm ball joint and an insecure battery, alongside a nearside rear tyre on its wear edge. The collective picture is one of recurring advisories around tyres, brake discs and suspension components over a six-year testing window, with two outright failures in the last three cycles. The 2017 advisory concerning pitting and scoring on both front brake discs suggests disc deterioration was present at relatively low recorded mileage and is consistent with a vehicle that has now accumulated substantial use. Recorded mileage stands at 114,681 miles across sixteen years, equating to roughly 7,168 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and segment. The test entries are spaced fairly consistently between 2017 and 2023, with annual mileage increments in the 4,000 to 9,000 mile range between most recorded tests, indicating regular rather than sporadic use. There are no multi-year gaps in the testing record that would suggest prolonged periods off the road. From a mechanical standpoint, this level of consistent mileage on a sixteen-year-old Mondeo means consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, shock absorbers and suspension bushes have all been worked hard, and the undercarriage components flagged in the MOT record would have experienced significant load cycles. For a prospective buyer, the suspension items recorded as worn or failed should be the priority, particularly the nearside rear trailing arm bush and the nearside front suspension arm ball joint. These are wearing components that can deteriorate further between tests, so on a test drive listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, feel for any vagueness or looseness through the steering, and check for uneven tyre wear on the inside edges which would suggest worn bushes allowing geometry to drift. The front brake disc advisory from 2017 is also relevant; although advisory only, scored or pitted discs on a Mondeo of this age are likely to have progressed and can cause brake judder under firm pedal pressure, so a controlled stop from around 30 mph is worthwhile to feel for vibration through the pedal or steering wheel. The dangerous tyre failure recorded on both fronts in 2023 is a reminder to confirm that all four tyres have substantial remaining tread and are of matching type on each axle, and to inspect the sidewalls for any bulges or cracking consistent with age-related deterioration. The nearside outer sill damage advisory warrants close visual inspection from below, as corrosion in this area on a Mondeo of this generation can spread into structural sections and may not be fully visible without lifting the carpets or examining the inner sill structure on a ramp. The ABS warning lamp fault should also be checked by confirming the lamp extinguishes promptly on ignition, as ABS module and wheel speed sensor issues can recur. Finally, the previous insecure battery finding makes it worth checking that the battery clamp and hold-down are sound and that the tray has not corroded through, as battery acid leakage on a sixteen-year-old vehicle can cause underlying structural corrosion around the carrier area.