2013 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · SB13 HFL

The vehicle presents a concerning state of roadworthiness with a trend of worsening mechanical neglect and structural degradation. While it passed the most recent test in January 2026 at 148,724 miles, the history reveals a pattern of significant failures related to safety systems. The failure in December 2025 due to a leaking hydraulic brake pipe mid-pipe and the inability to test brake performance indicates a critical safety issue was only addressed months prior. The persistence of corrosion on both the front and rear subframes remains an ongoing structural concern. At 148,724 miles over 13 years, the Ford Mondeo averages a typical roughly 11,440 miles per year, which is consistent with a vehicle of this age. However, the data shows a rapid accumulation of mileage between December 2023 and December 2024, where the car covered nearly 2,800 miles in a single month. This period coincided with a heavy list of failures in December 2024, involving multiple braking components and suspension parts, suggesting that the vehicle has been subjected to reactive repairs rather than preventative maintenance. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the undercarriage, specifically focusing on the subframe corrosion. While the tester noted structural rigidity is not yet significantly reduced, the presence of rust on both frames suggests an inevitable progression toward failure. The suspension shows a history of repeated issues, including worn trailing bushes and split or corroded coil springs, which should be checked for further play or uneven tyre wear. The braking system requires close scrutiny given the recent history of binding calipers, excessively worn discs, and corroded brake pipes. The 2024 failure regarding the ABS and electronic stability control lamps also indicates electronic faults that may not have been verified as fully rectified. Additionally, the history of split CV boots and track rod end dust covers suggests that rubber components are failing at an accelerated rate, likely leading to further premature drivetrain and steering wear.