2008 Ford Mondeo MOT pass rate: 64.1% (42,797 tests)
Is the 2008 Mondeo getting worse?
Pass rate of 2008-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 65.4% +0.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 63.2% -1.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 63.1% -2.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2008 Mondeo
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13,774 | 27.5% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10,755 | 21.5% |
| 3 | Brakes | 7,580 | 15.1% |
| 4 | Tyres | 6,169 | 12.3% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3,680 | 7.3% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 3,002 | 6.0% |
All Mondeo years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4,488 | 62.6% | -3.9 pts | 109,419 |
| 2002 | 5,223 | 61.8% | -3.8 pts | 109,169 |
| 2003 | 6,748 | 60.7% | -4.2 pts | 111,121 |
| 2004 | 11,365 | 60.8% | -3.5 pts | 116,195 |
| 2005 | 17,693 | 61.4% | -3.1 pts | 117,814 |
| 2006 | 21,126 | 63.0% | -1.5 pts | 119,119 |
| 2007 | 33,457 | 62.5% | -2.6 pts | 128,164 |
| 2008 (this page) | 42,797 | 64.1% | -1.1 pts | 134,633 |
| 2009 | 45,333 | 66.3% | -0.1 pts | 129,758 |
| 2010 | 46,521 | 67.8% | +0.4 pts | 125,434 |
| 2011 | 39,199 | 70.3% | +1.1 pts | 124,197 |
| 2012 | 46,827 | 71.3% | +0.0 pts | 118,460 |
| 2013 | 37,630 | 72.3% | -1.1 pts | 116,705 |
| 2014 | 34,602 | 75.1% | -0.8 pts | 108,088 |
| 2015 | 51,911 | 82.4% | +3.7 pts | 93,141 |
| 2016 | 48,223 | 84.9% | +3.6 pts | 84,767 |
| 2017 | 32,614 | 86.5% | +2.4 pts | 74,320 |
| 2018 | 21,084 | 87.4% | +1.0 pts | 65,894 |
| 2019 | 13,245 | 87.3% | -1.1 pts | 54,279 |
| 2020 | 6,072 | 87.5% | -2.4 pts | 42,292 |
| 2021 | 1,873 | 87.7% | -2.7 pts | 39,402 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Ford Mondeo years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2008 Ford Mondeo reliable?
2008-registered examples passed 64.1% of their MOT tests (42,797 tests, 2023–2025), -1.1 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 18 years old with a median 134,633 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2008 Mondeo?
The median tested example shows 134,633 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2008 Mondeo?
In this cohort petrols pass 67.4% of tests against 63.0% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.