Ford Mustang Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Mustang car check
Is the Ford Mustang reliable? We analysed 140,135 real MOT tests across 19,692 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Mustang? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Mustang is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, parking brake recording little or no effort and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Mustang.
Ford Mustang Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Mustang. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Mustang MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Mustang to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Mustang Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Mustang fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Mustang Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ford Mustang models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ford Mustang Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Mustang owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Mustang MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Mustang year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 639 | 91.4% | 8,888 | 15,458 | 22,395 |
| 2021 | 977 | 88.5% | 10,551 | 16,069 | 24,148 |
| 2020 | 3,408 | 87.6% | 10,330 | 17,497 | 26,650 |
| 2019 | 6,337 | 86.2% | 10,967 | 18,723 | 29,239 |
| 2018 | 13,851 | 86.6% | 14,257 | 23,052 | 35,082 |
| 2017 | 15,398 | 87.0% | 14,214 | 24,416 | 38,476 |
| 2016 | 23,460 | 85.5% | 15,035 | 26,065 | 40,876 |
| 2015 | 3,968 | 85.9% | 16,360 | 28,823 | 49,954 |
| 2014 | 1,947 | 82.6% | 20,002 | 41,239 | 66,218 |
| 2013 | 1,864 | 85.2% | 19,502 | 40,492 | 65,924 |
| 2012 | 1,773 | 82.4% | 20,021 | 45,026 | 74,161 |
| 2011 | 1,540 | 81.4% | 24,993 | 49,484 | 76,880 |
| 2010 | 1,992 | 82.1% | 27,682 | 49,040 | 73,156 |
| 2009 | 1,776 | 84.3% | 20,897 | 42,630 | 66,308 |
| 2008 | 4,545 | 84.2% | 18,541 | 35,325 | 63,680 |
| 2007 | 5,886 | 83.8% | 22,941 | 43,488 | 68,735 |
| 2006 | 5,873 | 82.3% | 26,486 | 48,654 | 73,904 |
| 2005 | 8,272 | 81.0% | 26,627 | 45,096 | 70,525 |
| 2004 | 2,361 | 82.5% | 23,218 | 44,585 | 67,320 |
| 2003 | 2,013 | 81.0% | 30,227 | 55,004 | 85,652 |
How Long Does a Ford Mustang Last?
Based on 19,692 Ford Mustang vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Mustang Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Mustang MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ford Mustang
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.2% MOT pass rate from 167 tests
74.8% MOT pass rate from 139 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Mustang is 1974, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.2% across 167 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Mustang Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang THIS CAR | 83.9% | 140,135 | 33,720 mi | 32 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| London Taxis Int Tx II | 70.4% | 168,997 | 255,001 mi | 24 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Mustang outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Mustang you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford MustangShould you buy a used Ford Mustang?
The Ford Mustang has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% across 140,135 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Ford Mustang are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (1,846 recorded failures), parking brake recording little or no effort (1,037), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (972). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ford Mustang with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Ford Mustang owner drives around 1,994 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ford Mustang models stay on UK roads for around 32 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.