Used buying checklist
Ford Mustang reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Ford Mustang looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 12.8% of 13,181 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 12.8% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 27,761 miles
- 1,682 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (7.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint excessively worn, across an axle, and ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint excessively worn
- across an axle
- ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- excessively corroded
- ferrule excessively corroded
Focus on suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure
The model's recorded failure rate is 12.8%, -6.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed13,181 tests
- Median tested mileage27,761 miles
- Failed MOT tests1,682
Should you buy a used Ford Mustang?
87.2% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 12.8%, -6.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ball joint excessively worn"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (7.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Ford Mustang, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.1% at 0-3 years to 14.3% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (7.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Ford Mustang, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (7.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Ford Mustang mainly involve 6 areas: windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, mixed recall notices, brakes, and lights and electrical. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Ford Mustang, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and tyres and wheels.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 10,305 | 8,886 | 11.6%+0.8 percentage points vs all models | 22,437 miles |
| 50-100k | 2,313 | 1,893 | 16.9%-3.8 percentage points vs all models | 65,642 miles |
| 100-150k | 391 | 326 | 18.9%-7.3 percentage points vs all models | 116,360 miles |
| 150-200k | 68 | 54 | 22.1%-5.2 percentage points vs all models | 167,803 miles |
| 200k+ | 17 | 14 | 23.5%-3.0 percentage points vs all models | 217,837 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Ford Mustang, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.1% at 0-3 years to 14.3% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 14.3% for 15+ years cars, based on 2,058 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
661 | 597 | 9.1%+0.6 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
5,201 | 4,438 | 12.1%+1.5 percentage points vs all models | 5.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
4,624 | 3,873 | 13.6%-3.0 percentage points vs all models | 7.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
637 | 557 | 11.3%-12.2 percentage points vs all models | 12.9 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
2,058 | 1,761 | 14.3%-11.6 percentage points vs all models | 18.1 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2026-04-23 | 26C16 Mustang - Lane Keeping System Software Update According to Ford’s records certain Mustang vehicles may not have the remedy for Compliance Recall 21C11 installed correctly but were recorded as having received the repair successfully. Because the correct software update may not have been installed on these vehicles the underlying condition may still exist therefore these vehicles may still have the incorrect software loaded for the Lane Keeping System (LKS). On affected vehicles not having the latest Lane Keeping System (LKS) software may lead to non-compliance with the current regulations relating to Hands-On-Off (HOO) chime requirements that became effective from April 1 2021. Dealers will update the Image Processing Module A (IPMA) and the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) to the latest available software level free of charge. Dealers will update the Image Processing Module A (IPMA) and the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) to the latest available software level free of charge. |
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| 2026-04-13 | 25SA7 - Mustang - Powertrain Control Module Software Update On affected vehicles equipped with a Ford Performance Whipple Supercharger Upgrade Kit the updated software may not be able to detect module hardware errors leading to unintended acceleration or unintended vehicle movement increasing the risk of a crash. Update the Powertrain Control Module software. |
| 2026-02-05 | 25C83 Mustang - Powertrain Control Module Software Update On affected vehicles the software repair for previous recall 20C06 may not have been delivered properly and the underlying condition may still exist. The condition may cause the Gear Shift Indication to recommend gear changes at intervals that do not meet the specification. Update the Powertrain Control Module software and perform an additional verification process to ensure the configuration has been installed correctly. |
| 2025-12-09 | 25S92 Mustang - Potential Seat Belt Anchor Pretensioner Issue Affected vehicles may experience corrosion that can weaken or detach the seatbelt anchor pretensioner cables for both front seats. A corroded pretensioner cable may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash. The remedy has not yet been developed. However vehicle owners with concerns are advised to present their vehicle at an approved repairer for inspection. |
| 2025-12-08 | Mustang Brake Fluid Level Indicator Update The software repair for a previous recall may not have been properly delivered to the vehicle. The underlying noncompliance specified in the recall still exists and customers will not receive a warning if there is a reduction in brake fluid below the recommended level in the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir. Update the Body Controller Module (BCM) software and / or replace it if necessary. |
| 2025-10-06 | Mustang: Incorrect Homologation details on VIN label Affected vehicles may not show the correct Homologation regulation on the Vehicle Identification (VIN) label. Replace the VIN label. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Ford Mustang. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Ford reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.