2007 Ford Mondeo 2.2L Diesel · CP55 ACP

The defining mechanical story of this 2007 Ford Mondeo is a progressive accumulation of corrosion-related advisories affecting its brake and fuel pipework, culminating in a notable failure in late 2024 due to a power steering defect. The most recent test on 21 November 2025 returned a pass, but it carried five advisories, four of which are continuation items from prior years. The rear sub-frame corrosion advisory is new for 2025, joining a pattern of brake pipe corrosion that has now been flagged across consecutive tests in 2024 and 2025, and a fuel pipe corrosion advisory first noted in December 2024. The 7 November 2024 test was a failure, attributed to the power steering being inoperative with the reservoir empty, classed as a dangerous defect. The 2023 and 2022 tests both passed cleanly aside from front tyre wear advisories and minor exhaust issues, indicating the rate of mechanical deterioration has accelerated in the last two years. While the car is presently roadworthy, the trajectory of advisories and the 2024 dangerous defect point to a vehicle entering a phase where age-related corrosion is becoming a more pressing concern. With 114,408 miles recorded over approximately 19 years, the Mondeo has averaged around 6,021 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical annual usage for a vehicle of this vintage. The mileage progression between tests is steady and shows no anomalous jumps or extended gaps that would suggest prolonged off-road periods or odometer irregularities. The relatively modest annual accumulation is consistent with a car used for regular but moderate-distance driving, and the MOT history shows no multi-year absences that would raise concerns about standing-related deterioration such as seized brakes, perished tyres, or flat-spotted components. Mechanically, this level of usage is sufficient to keep consumables cycling through normal wear but does not represent the heavy accumulation that accelerates wear on clutches, turbochargers, or drivetrain bearings. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas are the brake and fuel pipework, the rear sub-frame, and the power steering system. The recurring advisories for corroded brake pipes covered in grease suggest a stop-gap repair has been applied to the nearside front line; this is a common technique to pass an MOT but does not address the underlying corrosion, so it is worth examining the visible sections of brake line for surface rust, pin-holing, or flaking. A test drive should include firm brake applications to check for a soft or spongy pedal, and a visual inspection underneath should look for dampness around pipe joins. The fuel pipe advisory from tank to front warrants a thorough underbody examination for any signs of weeping at the fuel lines, particularly along the chassis runs where road debris and moisture collect. The rear sub-frame, now flagged as corroded but not seriously weakened, should be tapped with a screwdriver or hammer to check for structural softness, as sub-frame corrosion on a 19-year-old Mondeo can progress rapidly once initiated. The 2024 dangerous failure for inoperative power steering and an empty reservoir points to either a hose failure, a leak at the rack, or a pump fault; a test drive should include full-lock manoeuvres at low speed to listen for whining or groaning from the pump, and the fluid reservoir should be inspected for level and signs of aerated or darkened fluid. Further test drive attention should be given to the suspension and steering geometry, given the cumulative mileage and the recurring advisories on front tyres wearing close to the legal limit on their edges. Uneven inner-edge wear typically points to worn suspension bushes, collapsed top mounts, or tracking misalignment, and a buyer should listen for clonks or knocks over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly from the front end. The exhaust system has been flagged in three of the last four tests for either a minor leak or a defective mounting; with the car now approaching two decades of service, the entire exhaust should be inspected for hangers, flexible joints, and signs of blowing at the manifold gasket. A final check under the bonnet for oil leaks from the cam cover or sump gasket would be prudent, as these are age-related issues typical of the Mondeo diesel and petrol engines at this mileage. Given the documented history, a pre-purchase inspection by a technician willing to raise the vehicle on a ramp is strongly advisable, with particular focus on the underbody corrosion pattern, brake line integrity, and steering rack condition.