2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Auto 5.0L Petrol · MM20 MCE

The most recent DVSA test on 19 February 2026 returned a Pass, but the record is accompanied by three advisory items that warrant close attention from any prospective buyer. The previous test on 4 February 2025 was a clean pass with no defects recorded, so the appearance of multiple advisories in the 2026 examination suggests a modest deterioration rather than a stable pattern, although a Pass remains a Pass. Advisories are not failure items, but they are issued because a tester has observed a component that is approaching the point at which it may fail a future test or could compromise safety. In the case of this Mach 1, the advisories all relate to the tyres, which is a meaningful cluster and indicates that attention to the running gear is now due. Recorded mileage stands at 20,929 miles over a four-year life, equating to roughly 5,232 miles annually. This is well below average for a modern performance vehicle and indicates either genuinely light use, a predominantly leisure or weekend use pattern, or significant periods of standing. Such low mileage is broadly favourable for the engine, transmission and major drivetrain components, which will have experienced comparatively little wear. However, low annual mileage carries its own well-documented risks, particularly around standing-related corrosion on brake discs, potential caliper seizure from infrequent operation, accelerated tyre ageing due to prolonged static load and exposure to ultraviolet light, and 12V battery degradation from short or infrequent journeys that prevent adequate charging. The two tyre-related advisories should be treated as the most pressing items in any pre-purchase evaluation. The front tyres were noted as wearing low on the inner edge with cracking on the outer edge, while the rear pair were flagged for slight damage, cracking or perishing. Uneven inner-edge wear on the front axle is a classic indicator of geometry misalignment, worn suspension bushes, weakened coil springs, or tired top mounts and wishbone components, and it warrants a careful inspection on a test drive for any pulling to one side, vagueness through the steering, or clonks over speed humps and broken surfaces. The cracking and perishing noted on all four corners is strongly associated with age rather than mileage, as the rubber compounds deteriorate through ozone exposure and time even when tread depth remains adequate. A prospective buyer should confirm the production date markings on any current tyres and budget for a full set of replacements if they are approaching or beyond five years of age, regardless of remaining tread. Beyond the advisory items, the low-mileage profile of this Mach 1 demands the usual standing-related checks that apply to any sparingly used performance car. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as prolonged standing and short trips are a leading cause of premature failure and can leave electronic modules in a vulnerable state. Brake discs should be inspected for severe surface corrosion, pitting or lipping, and the calipers should be checked for binding by confirming the vehicle rolls freely when the handbrake is released. Fluid condition is also calendar-sensitive rather than purely mileage-dependent, so the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and automatic transmission fluid should be assessed for service history and age, with brake fluid in particular being hygroscopic and due for renewal every two years regardless of use. Finally, it is prudent to verify the undertrays noted as fitted on the 2026 test are present and secure, as missing undertrays can affect aerodynamic performance and expose components to road debris, and to confirm full service book stamps to satisfy yourself that the low recorded mileage genuinely reflects gentle use rather than missed routine maintenance.