2013 Ford Mondeo 1.6L Diesel · LR63 ENX

A pattern of serious braking and tyre-related defects dominates the early MOT history of this 2013 Ford Mondeo, with both 2022 and 2023 test attempts resulting in failures that included dangerous category items. In December 2022, the vehicle was flagged with dangerous front tyre tread depth below 1.6mm on both sides, a major inoperative nearside parking brake, seriously leaking nearside rear shock absorbers, and overall parking brake efficiency below requirements. Just over a year later, in December 2023, further dangerous and major defects emerged: parking brake efficiency had fallen to less than 50 percent of the required value, the offside rear brake lever had restricted free movement, and the front wiper failed to clear the windscreen effectively. The most recent test activity on 22 May 2026 shows a failed attempt followed immediately by a pass after rectification, with the only failure item being inoperative rear registration plate lamps on both sides. Advisories at the same test recorded a non-excessive oil leak and edge wear on both front tyres and the offside rear inner tyre. While the car has passed its last three tests in some form, the underlying record from 2022 and 2023 reveals a period of significant mechanical deterioration that any prospective buyer must weigh carefully. Mileage accumulation has been broadly typical for the vehicle's age, with 136,771 recorded miles over thirteen years equating to roughly 10,500 miles annually. There are, however, notable gaps in the testing record between October 2021 and December 2022, and again between May 2025 and May 2026, which may indicate periods where the vehicle was either unpresented for test or not in use. Given the failures that appeared immediately after these gaps, including the dangerous brake and tyre defects in late 2022, the usage history suggests that when the car returned to road use after lay-up, several wear-sensitive components had deteriorated simultaneously. At this mileage and age, consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and suspension components will be approaching their third or fourth replacement cycle, and drivetrain wear becomes a more material concern for any prospective buyer. The recurring advisory items across the record provide a clear checklist for inspection. The front brake discs were flagged as pitted and scored in May 2025, and rear brake discs and pads were noted as wearing thin back in October 2021, indicating that the braking system has been on a watch list for several years. On a test drive, listen for any binding or dragging from the calipers, particularly at the rear where restricted lever movement was a failure item, and feel for pulling to one side under firm braking that could indicate uneven pad wear or a seized caliper slide. Inspect the rear shock absorbers for fresh oil residue around the body and mounting bushes for cracking or deformation, and check that the parking brake holds the vehicle securely on an incline, as its efficiency has been questioned twice in two consecutive years. The oil leak flagged in 2026 should be traced to its source, with particular attention to the cam cover gasket, sump, and oil filter housing, which are common leak points on the Mondeo's diesel and petrol engines. Tyre wear patterns deserve close physical scrutiny before purchase. The advisories on edge wear across both front tyres and the offside rear inner tyre in 2026 suggest uneven wear geometry, which on a Mondeo frequently points to worn front suspension components such as wishbone bushes, drop links, or top mounts. On the road, pay attention to any knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces, vagueness in the steering around the straight-ahead position, or uneven tyre shoulders visible on inspection. Given the dangerous tread depth findings recorded in 2022 and the advisory edge wear now appearing again, a prospective buyer should budget for an immediate full set of tyres and a thorough geometry check. Finally, confirm that the rear registration plate lamps and front wiper system are functioning correctly, as both have been flagged as failure items in the recent record, and ensure any rectification work carried out between the failed and passed tests on 22 May 2026 has been completed to a satisfactory standard.