2012 Ford Mondeo 2.0L Diesel · YR62 KBN

The most recent MOT test, conducted on 30 July 2025, resulted in a pass with one minor defect, an inoperative nearside registration plate lamp, and two advisories covering rear brake pad wear on both sides and slight play in the offside track rod end ball joint. The overall maintenance trend is broadly stable, with no failures since September 2022, but the advisory pattern reveals progressive consumable wear that a buyer should take seriously. The offside track rod end has deteriorated from a damaged dust cover in 2023 to measurable ball joint play by 2025, and the rear brake pads have been flagged as wearing thin in two consecutive tests. The 2022 failure for an excessively worn nearside rear trailing arm bush, rectified and passed the same day, demonstrates that rear suspension wear has already required corrective work. Importantly, the 2025 certificate would have expired around late July 2026, and no 2026 test appears in the record, so you must verify whether a current MOT exists before purchase. At roughly fourteen years old with 149,714 recorded miles, the vehicle has covered approximately 10,694 miles per year, which is typical for its age and suggests regular use rather than extended periods standing. The unbroken sequence of annual tests between 2022 and 2025 supports consistent usage, and steady accumulation at this rate means suspension joints, bushes, brakes and tyres will have worn predictably but continuously, which the recurring advisories confirm. At this mileage, drivetrain diligence is equally important: verify the timing belt replacement history in the service book, particularly if this is the 2.0 TDCi diesel where belt failure is catastrophic, and check for oil leaks around the engine and gearbox, clutch bite point condition if manual, and any transmission droning or whining on the test drive. Focus your inspection on the steering and braking systems, as these dominate the defect history. With the front wheels raised, check both track rod ends and the steering rack inner joints for play, and on the road listen for knocking or clonking over potholes, speed bumps and ridges, along with any vagueness on-centre, wandering, or uneven steering effort. The 2024 advisories noted both front tyres worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge, which often indicates misalignment aggravated by worn steering joints, so inspect all tyres for uneven shoulder wear and have a four-wheel alignment performed if any steering components are replaced. Regarding brakes, the rear pads flagged as wearing thin on both sides in 2025 will likely need replacement imminently, and the repeated pitting and scoring of both front and rear discs suggests you should budget for discs at the same time. During the test drive, brake firmly from motorway speed and feel for judder through the pedal or steering wheel, listen for grinding, and check the car does not pull to one side. Finally, examine the rear suspension given the 2022 trailing arm bush failure: look for cracked or perished rubber bushes on both sides, listen for rear-end clunks over broken surfaces, and note any instability under braking or cornering. Confirm the registration plate lamp has been repaired, as it is trivial but indicative of overall care. General age-and-mileage checks should include verifying service book stamps for continuity, assessing 12V battery health and terminal corrosion, inspecting brake pipes, subframes and suspension arms for corrosion, checking tyre sidewalls for cracking and confirming tyre age via the DOT code, and confirming when brake fluid and coolant were last renewed, as these degrade with time regardless of mileage. If the vehicle is diesel, check for DPF-related issues and excessive smoke. Given the recurring steering and brake advisories, an independent pre-purchase inspection is strongly recommended.