2015 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · MD64 FSA

A pattern of safety system and braking concerns dominates this Mondeo's MOT record, with two failures in less than two years both centred on brake performance, ABS, and electronic stability control functionality. The most recent test on 20 May 2026 returned a pass, but the prior 2025 and 2024 tests revealed repeated major defects, including an ABS warning lamp fault on both occasions, an ESC warning lamp fault in 2024, and a service brake efficiency reading below requirements. The 2024 failure also flagged the power steering rack as rough, and the earlier 2023 test recorded a dangerous wheel bearing defect alongside excessively fluctuating front brake readings and a poorly secured battery. Taken together, these outcomes indicate that the electronic safety systems and foundation braking components have required multiple repairs over a relatively short testing window, and any prospective buyer should not assume these issues have been permanently resolved simply because the car has a current pass certificate. With 114,471 miles recorded across approximately eleven years, the vehicle has averaged roughly 10,400 miles per year, which sits within typical parameters for its age. However, the test history shows a significant gap between the 2020 pass and the January 2023 re-test, a period of roughly two and a half years with no recorded MOT activity, which could reflect either long-term storage or sustained use without testing, the latter being more likely given the rapid accumulation of braking and steering defects noted once testing resumed. Components subject to wear proportional to mileage, including brake discs and pads, suspension bushes and coil springs, wheel bearings, and steering rack internal components, will have absorbed the majority of their working cycles during this active period, and the MOT data reflects that exposure through repeated advisories on brake pad wear and tyre condition. Given the history of fluctuating brake readings, brake efficiency shortfalls, and ABS faults, a test drive should include several firm pedal applications from moderate speed to check for pulling to either side, excessive pedal travel, or vibration through the steering wheel, any of which could indicate sticking calipers or warped discs not yet severe enough to fail. Listen for any grinding, humming, or rumbling from the rear hubs that intensifies with speed, particularly on left and right turns to isolate the source, as the dangerous wheel bearing defect recorded in 2023 demonstrates this Mondeo has already had at least one bearing replacement. Pay close attention to steering feel, which should be smooth and consistent without knocking, vagueness, or uneven assistance, since the 2024 record described the power steering rack as rough and noisy. Also examine the ABS and ESC warning lamps during ignition and while driving, and confirm the tyre pressure monitoring system is actively reporting pressures, as these warning systems have malfunctioned on two separate occasions. The current advisory items should also be addressed before purchase negotiations conclude. The most recent test noted a child seat obstructing inspection of the offside rear adult belt, a slightly damaged central seat belt buckle with the outer casing missing, an under-inflated offside rear tyre, and perishing or cracking on both rear tyres, all of which point to rear tyre renewal and a belt buckle repair being imminent costs. Front tyres were previously flagged at or close to the legal 1.6 mm limit in 2025, so a thorough inspection of tread depth across all four corners is warranted, along with a check for uneven shoulder wear that could indicate alignment or suspension issues. Finally, with the battery having been recorded as insecure in 2023, inspect the battery tray and mounting hardware for corrosion and ensure the terminals are firmly fixed, as a repeat finding here would represent an avoidable failure risk at the next test.