Most Reliable Ford Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 4,432,652 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Ford models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
4,432,652 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Ford model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Ford PUMA
90.5% pass rate
Best Single Year
MONDEO 2015 Petrol
86.0% pass rate
Ford vs National Average
68.5% vs 71.5%
-3.0% below average
Proven Durability Champion
MONDEO 2012
+8.1% at 11-12 years
Ford has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 4,432,652 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Ford models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Ford model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Ford Compares to Rivals
Ford ranks #51 out of 75 manufacturers with a 68.5% average MOT pass rate. That's below the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Peugeot | 66.1% | #58 | 1,428,753 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
| Citroen | 63.1% | #61 | 1,028,111 |
| Renault | 61.8% | #66 | 1,009,899 |
The verdict: Volkswagen maintains a lead among competitors, while Ford sits at #51. However, newer Ford models significantly outperform this average.
Best Ford Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Ford's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUMA | 90.5% | +19.0% | 28,592 | 2000-2021 |
| CHAUSSON | 90.2% | +18.7% | 713 | 2018-2020 |
| ROLLER TEAM | 88.5% | +17.0% | 828 | 2016-2020 |
| EDGE | 84.8% | +13.3% | 8,798 | 2016-2019 |
| MUSTANG | 83.5% | +11.9% | 10,707 | 2005-2020 |
| ECOSPORT | 80.8% | +9.3% | 97,906 | 2014-2021 |
| FREEDOM | 80.4% | +8.9% | 1,312 | 2016-2020 |
| ALLIED | 79.8% | +8.3% | 3,384 | 2017-2020 |
| KUGA | 79.6% | +8.1% | 271,185 | 2008-2021 |
| TOURNEO | 77.2% | +5.7% | 31,205 | 2013-2022 |
Top performer
The PUMA dramatically outperforms other Fords with an 90.5% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Ford Models Age Best?
These Ford models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MONDEO | 2012 | Petrol | +8.1% | 11-12 years | 70.9% |
| FUSION | 2009 | Petrol | +7.9% | 13+ years | 65.2% |
| FUSION | 2011 | Petrol | +7.5% | 11-12 years | 70.3% |
| MONDEO | 2010 | Petrol | +7.2% | 13+ years | 64.5% |
| C-MAX | 2012 | Petrol | +6.8% | 11-12 years | 69.7% |
| MONDEO | 2011 | Petrol | +5.3% | 11-12 years | 68.2% |
| FUSION | 2010 | Petrol | +5.3% | 11-12 years | 68.2% |
| FUSION | 2010 | Petrol | +5.2% | 13+ years | 62.5% |
| FUSION | 2008 | Petrol | +5.2% | 13+ years | 62.5% |
| PUMA | 2000 | Petrol | +5.2% | 13+ years | 62.5% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Ford models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - these vehicles have not been tested at older ages. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUMA ST-LINE X FIRST ED MHEV | 2020 | Petrol | +6.7% | 3-4 years | 92.5% |
| MONDEO | 2016 | Petrol | +5.9% | 5-6 years | 87.1% |
| KA | 2019 | Petrol | +4.8% | 3-4 years | 90.6% |
| FOCUS | 2017 | Petrol | +4.5% | 5-6 years | 85.7% |
| KA | 2017 | Petrol | +4.3% | 5-6 years | 85.5% |
| EDGE | 2017 | Diesel | +3.9% | 5-6 years | 85.1% |
| FOCUS | 2016 | Petrol | +3.5% | 5-6 years | 84.7% |
| KUGA | 2017 | Diesel | +3.5% | 5-6 years | 84.7% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Ford KUGA: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The KUGA has 271,185 tests in our database with an overall 79.6% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Diesel | 89.2% | -1.7% | 342 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 91.9% | +4.2% | 2,940 |
| 2020 | Hybrid Electric | 91.6% | +4.0% | 2,603 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 89.3% | +1.7% | 8,921 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 86.6% | +0.4% | 18,049 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 86.5% | +0.2% | 22,949 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 85.3% | +1.1% | 12,009 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 84.9% | +0.7% | 26,854 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 84.7% | +3.0% | 30,318 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 83.9% | +2.2% | 6,675 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 82.6% | +4.0% | 5,113 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 82.2% | +3.6% | 28,304 |
| ... | ||||
| 2010 | Petrol | 59.6% | -0.9% | 280 |
| 2010 | Diesel | 59.2% | -1.3% | 9,491 |
| 2009 | Diesel | 58.9% | -0.1% | 7,951 |
KUGA verdict: Avoid the 2010 petrol (59.6%).
Avoid early KUGA models
The 2010 petrol KUGA has a 59.6% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Ford Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Ford's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric | 88.0% | +16.5% | 5,530 |
| Electric | 83.2% | +11.7% | 369 |
| Petrol | 69.2% | -2.3% | 2,505,350 |
| Diesel | 67.3% | -4.2% | 1,898,133 |
The hybrid advantage: Ford hybrids pass MOTs 19% more often than petrols and 21% more often than diesels.
Ford Models to Avoid
Not all Fords are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIESTA | 2016 | Diesel | 62.5% (-17.6% vs same-age) | 11,964 |
| TRANSIT CUSTOM 300LEADER EBLUE | 2020 | Diesel | 71.7% (-17.7% vs same-age) | 4,587 |
| TRANSIT | 2012 | Diesel | 50.0% (-19.0% vs same-age) | 16,374 |
| FIESTA | 2014 | Diesel | 57.2% (-17.3% vs same-age) | 15,755 |
| TRANSIT CONNECT | 2019 | Diesel | 72.5% | 14,653 |
| TRANSIT COURIER | 2016 | Diesel | 65.0% (-15.1% vs same-age) | 2,679 |
| TRANSIT COURIER | 2020 | Petrol | 74.5% | 901 |
| GALAXY | 2014 | Diesel | 58.6% (-15.9% vs same-age) | 4,753 |
| TRANSIT COURIER | 2015 | Diesel | 62.4% (-14.8% vs same-age) | 3,457 |
| TRANSIT | 2011 | Diesel | 49.9% (-16.6% vs same-age) | 20,391 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2014-2016 diesel FIESTAs, 2011-2012 diesel TRANSITs, 2015-2020 diesel/petrol TRANSIT COURIERs are the models that drag down Ford's average. The TRANSIT 2010 performs 14% worse than the average car of the same age at 11-12 years - this is proven poor durability. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Fords?
When Fords fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 631,815 |
| 2. Suspension | 449,341 |
| 3. Tyres | 310,417 |
| 4. Brakes | 284,308 |
| 5. Visibility | 221,485 |
| 6. Body, chassis, structure | 172,380 |
| 7. Noise, emissions and leaks | 153,572 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Ford owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- PUMA TITANIUM FIRST ED MHEV 2020 Petrol: 94% pass rate
- PUMA TITANIUM 2020 Petrol: 94% pass rate
- PUMA ST-LINE X FIRST ED + MHEV 2020 Petrol: 93% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- MONDEO 2008-2012: +6% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- FUSION 2008-2011: +6% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- C-MAX 2011-2012: +6% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- PUMA 2000: +5% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Ford Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- TRANSIT 2010-2012: -13% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- TRANSIT CONNECT 2003-2011: -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- MONDEO 2003: -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- S-MAX 2006: -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 4,432,652 tests on Ford vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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