CarCostCheck

FORD MONDEO (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,281 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Diesel1998cc24 years old3,281 tests115k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1998cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,057
Per month£171/mo
Per week£40/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 24 years old, 68% of FORD MONDEOs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,281 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 115,320 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars316th of 403(top 78%)
Rank among FORD models1097th of 1,167(top 94%)
vs national average-14%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-5%(73% avg)
vs FORD average-17%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

115,320

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 FORD MONDEO has 115,320 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 68%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

FORD MONDEO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202294%8054,644 mi
202189%1,71039,889 mi
202089%3,65250,239 mi
201990%7,46661,857 mi
201890%11,91373,505 mi
201788%18,07384,027 mi
201687%26,92592,893 mi
201586%29,704100,819 mi
201480%20,850117,891 mi
201378%22,767125,216 mi
201278%29,196125,913 mi
201177%24,537131,601 mi
201075%29,714132,388 mi
200974%29,480135,619 mi
200872%28,655139,585 mi
200771%22,117133,332 mi
200671%13,543124,230 mi
200569%11,436124,025 mi
200469%7,419121,520 mi
200368%4,276116,650 mi
200268%3,281115,320 mi
200169%2,982115,470 mi
200070%1,210105,568 mi
199971%1,232100,805 mi
199872%794104,643 mi
199771%552100,239 mi
199673%57495,491 mi
199569%42696,846 mi
199476%25597,557 mi
199383%21797,667 mi

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About the 2002 FORD MONDEO

The 2002 FORD MONDEO is a family car with a 1998cc diesel engine. 3,281 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 78% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 115,320 miles at 24 years old, FORD MONDEO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 FORD MONDEO Fuel Costs

The 1998cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2002 FORD MONDEO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

FORD MONDEO Reliability Trend

Newer FORD MONDEOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 FORD MONDEO

At 24 years old, the FORD MONDEO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 FORD MONDEO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 115k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2002 FORD MONDEO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FORD MONDEO(2002)68%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2003)73%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
HONDA CIVIC(2004)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2004)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£7
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2004)71%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£462

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

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