2010 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · H6 YES

The most recent MOT record from June 2025 shows a clean pass at 196,246 miles, but this follows a concerning pattern of repeated failures and advisories over the past year. The June 2025 failure—just three days before the passing test—highlighted unresolved issues: a non-functional headlamp and inadequate parking brake efficiency, both of which should have been addressed before retesting. Earlier in 2024, the vehicle failed twice in rapid succession (July 9 and July 11) due to a combination of serious structural corrosion, including a holed offside front suspension arm, and widespread brake wear. While the June 2025 pass suggests some repairs were made, the persistence of corrosion (rear chassis, sills, sub-frames) and brake advisories (thin pads, pitted discs) indicates ongoing neglect rather than a resolved trend. The fact that the most recent pass has no defects at all is suspicious given the prior failures; this could imply either a rushed repair job or selective attention to MOT-critical items while ignoring deeper issues. The Mondeo’s mileage—196,246 over 16 years—averages around 12,265 miles annually, which is high for its age and suggests either heavy use or prolonged periods of deferred maintenance. The gaps between tests reveal inconsistent upkeep: the 2023 pass at 165,893 miles was followed by a 15,382-mile jump in just 12 months, with two failures in July 2024 at 181,246 and 181,275 miles. This rapid accumulation of miles between tests, combined with recurring structural and mechanical faults, points to a vehicle that has been driven aggressively or stored poorly, accelerating wear on suspension, brakes, and corrosion-prone areas. The absence of any MOT records between July 2024 and June 2025—nearly a full year—raises further questions about whether the car was kept roadworthy outside of test requirements. For a buyer, the most critical areas to inspect in person are the suspension and structural integrity. The 2024 failures explicitly mention a seriously weakened offside front suspension arm (holed due to corrosion), alongside widespread corrosion in the rear sills, sub-frames, and anti-roll bar linkages. Even if these were repaired for the June 2025 pass, rust progression in these areas suggests ongoing risk—particularly in wet UK conditions. The brake system also demands scrutiny: thin pads, pitted discs, and corroded rear brake back plates were flagged repeatedly, indicating either aggressive driving or delayed replacements. The parking brake’s inefficiency in the latest failure further suggests it may not be fully functional. Finally, the oil leak noted in 2023—though not excessive—should be checked for recurrence, as persistent leaks can lead to engine damage over time. Given the vehicle’s age and mileage, a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is strongly advised to verify the quality of any repairs and assess hidden corrosion or wear.