2012 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · ML62 FNP

A recurring theme of rear coil spring corrosion and steering rack wear runs through this Mondeo's MOT history, presenting the primary mechanical risk for any prospective buyer. Both rear coil springs were first flagged as corroded in November 2023, with the nearside and offside rear springs carrying advisories on every MOT since. The offside front inner tyre edge wear and offside rear outer brake pad thinning advisories have also persisted across the 2024 and 2025 tests, alongside continuous play in the inner steering rack joints noted since 2023. Despite these recurring wear items, the vehicle passed its most recent test on 17 November 2025 after a five-day-old failure where identical advisories were recorded, suggesting the retest was largely paperwork-driven once the major lighting defect from the previous year's failure, a non-functioning nearside front side repeater, was resolved. The presence of a defective rear exhaust mounting with a broken hanger further suggests underbody components are beginning to deteriorate on this 14-year-old vehicle. Annual mileage of around 7,682 miles over the vehicle's life is broadly typical for a car of its age, neither indicating excessive use nor prolonged standing. The MOT testing cadence is consistent and recent, with annual tests in November 2023, 2024 and 2025, leaving no gaps that would suggest the car was off the road for extended periods. This regular annual accumulation should have kept drivetrain seals and flexibles reasonably active, though the corrosion advisories suggest environmental exposure rather than lack of use is the primary wear driver. Mileage progression between tests appears steady rather than erratic, which supports a history of normal commuting rather than long-distance or commercial-style usage. For a prospective buyer, the rear suspension is the single most pressing area to inspect closely. With both rear coil springs showing corrosion advisories across three consecutive tests, there is a real risk they may fail entirely, particularly over winter or on rougher roads. During a test drive, listen for any metallic knocking from the rear over speed humps or uneven surfaces, which would indicate weakened or fractured spring coils. Visually inspect the springs through the wheel arch with the wheels loaded, looking for visible cracking, flaking, or broken sections of the coil. The rear brake pads, now recorded as wearing thin on both the 2024 and 2025 tests, should be physically measured through the wheel spokes, and the discs checked for lipping or scoring, paying particular attention to the offside rear outer pad. The broken rear exhaust hanger will produce a noticeable exhaust rattle or clonking on start-up and at low speeds, and the remaining hangers should be checked for similar deterioration before committing to purchase. The steering rack advisories warrant particular attention on the test drive, given they have appeared on every MOT since 2023. Turn the steering lock to lock at low speed and listen for any knocking, clunking, or roughness emanating from behind the dashboard or front wheels, which would confirm internal rack wear or failing inner tie rod joints. At higher speeds on a straight road, release the wheel briefly to check for wandering or a vague, imprecise feeling through the centre, both classic symptoms of a worn rack inner joint. The offside front tyre wearing on its inner edge should be inspected for uneven shoulder wear or feathering, as this often points to worn suspension bushes, droplinks, or geometry issues that have now persisted across two tests. Finally, confirm the nearside side repeater operates, inspect the underside of the vehicle for any underbody corrosion beyond the springs, and check for oil misting or leaks from the engine and gearbox seals, areas not formally recorded but common on a Mondeo approaching 108,000 miles.