2012 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · SJ55 AAA

A thirteen-year pattern of MOT testing since 2022 reveals a vehicle with no recorded test between 2012 and 2022 in the data supplied, but the four subsequent annual tests paint a picture of a chassis steadily falling victim to age-related corrosion, with a single failure in September 2022 and three passes since. That 2022 test was significant: both rear trailing arm bushes were recorded as excessively worn, and the offside front outer CV joint boot had failed its integrity test, allowing ingress of dirt into the joint. The vehicle passed its next three tests on 2023-09-28, 2024-09-24, and 2025-09-29, but each has carried a growing accumulation of advisories pointing toward the rear suspension, rear braking components, the engine oil sealing, and the exhaust system. The most recent pass on 29 September 2025 noted corroded rear coil springs, corroded rear suspension arms on both sides, and damage to the nearside rear body, suggesting structural and chassis degradation that warrants attention even though the car remained legal for use at the time of test. With a recorded mileage of 111,008 miles against an approximate age of fourteen years, this Mondeo has averaged around 7,900 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a car of its vintage and usage class. The mileage readings are not provided within the MOT history so it is not possible to verify whether there have been any unusual gaps or sharp increases in annual mileage. A moderate accumulation rate such as this generally correlates with steady wear on consumables like tyres, brake pads and discs, and the typical age-related hardening of suspension bushes and boots, all of which is consistent with the pattern of advisories and the single component failure recorded. The persistent advisories on the rear coil springs and rear suspension arms across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 tests indicate an ongoing corrosion issue at the rear axle that any prospective buyer should monitor closely. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly when travelling over speed bumps or potholes, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the rear end during cornering, which can indicate advanced bush wear. The 2022 failure on both trailing arm bushes suggests these components may already be approaching a wear threshold; if they have not been replaced since, they could deteriorate further, and the buyer should physically inspect the bushes for cracking, splitting, or excessive play by hand if possible. The 2022 CV joint boot failure also warrants a check: listen for clicking or knocking from the front drivetrain on full-lock turns, and inspect the boots visually for any signs of splitting or grease leakage, which would indicate a recurrence. The rear brake disc advisories in 2023 and 2024 for wear, pitting, and scoring suggest the discs may now be approaching their service limit, particularly if the vehicle has covered significant mileage since those tests. On test, the buyer should feel for brake pedal judder under firm application, a pulsing sensation through the pedal that indicates disc distortion, and listen for any scraping or grinding from the rear brakes. The persistent minor oil leak advisories in 2023 and 2024 indicate a chronic sealing issue that, while not excessive at the time of test, could progress and warrants inspection of the engine underside for fresh oil accumulation. The exhaust corrosion advisory from 2024 should be checked by physical examination for any blowing sounds at idle or under load, and the body damage noted to the nearside rear on the 2025 test should be inspected to confirm it is cosmetic rather than structural. Finally, the recurring rear tyre cracking and perishing advisories across three tests indicate the rubber is ageing regardless of tread depth, and the tyres should be examined closely for sidewall deterioration regardless of their apparent remaining life.