2014 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · MM14 XSZ

The most recent MOT on 29 June 2026 was passed with no recorded defects, indicating that the vehicle currently meets the statutory safety and emissions standards. Over the past six years the record shows a mixture of isolated failures and advisories – a headlamp aim failure in 2022, a registration‑plate lamp failure in 2023 and a minor lamp advisory in 2024 – but the last two years have been free of any failures. This pattern suggests that any earlier issues have been addressed and that the maintenance trend is now stabilising rather than deteriorating. At 128 089 miles the Mondeo has averaged roughly 10 600 miles per annum since its first registration in 2014, a usage rate that sits comfortably within the normal range for a family saloon of this age. There are no pronounced mileage gaps that would hint at prolonged periods of inactivity, nor is there evidence of unusually high annual mileage that would accelerate wear on major components. Consequently the wear on consumables such as tyres, brakes and suspension should be consistent with a vehicle of its age and mileage. The 2025 advisory concerning the near‑side front tyre being close to the legal tread limit and the near‑side rear tyre showing edge cracking or perishing warrants immediate attention. Inspect both tyres for tread depth, sidewall integrity and any signs of dry rot; a tread depth below 1.6 mm on the front tyre would be illegal and the rear tyre’s cracking indicates ageing rubber that could fail suddenly, especially in wet conditions. Replace any tyre that fails the visual or tread‑depth check and verify that the spare is serviceable. The registration‑plate lamp history – a failure in 2023 and an advisory in 2024 – means the lamp assembly and wiring should be examined for corrosion, socket integrity and correct bulb type; a non‑functioning plate lamp can cause a MOT failure and may be symptomatic of a broader lighting circuit issue. Additionally, the 2022 headlamp aim fault suggests the alignment may have been out of tolerance; a quick check of headlamp aim on a level surface should confirm that the beams are correctly centred and not causing glare to other road users. Given the vehicle’s twelve‑year age, a thorough age‑related inspection is advisable regardless of the MOT outcome. Examine the tyre sidewalls for cracking, perishing or bulges that can develop with time even on low‑mileage tyres. Test the 12 V battery voltage and load, as batteries over ten years often lose capacity and may fail unexpectedly. Inspect the brake discs for surface rust, scoring or uneven wear and ensure the calipers move freely without binding, especially if the car has spent periods stationary. Check the suspension bushes, ball joints and shock absorbers for any play, clunking or leaking fluid, as these components deteriorate with age and mileage. Finally, confirm that all fluid reservoirs – engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and power‑steering fluid – have been topped up and, where service intervals are time‑based, consider a complete fluid change to guard against degradation that is not mileage dependent.