2008 Ford Galaxy — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 27,353 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Ford Galaxy, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.5% was in line with the average for MPVs of a similar age (71.8%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 4,688 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.3% | 3,647 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.1% | 2,206 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.4% | 2,016 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 1,469 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 1,358 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,255 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 1,642 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 1,558 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,228 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,200 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 1,079 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 42.8% | 11,706 |
| 2 | Tyres | 33.3% | 9,100 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.5% | 7,534 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 5,471 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.6% | 4,552 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 3,586 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 256 | 32.0% |
| 30-60k | 425 | 16.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,305 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 6,405 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 8,193 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 9,403 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 25,663 | 27.5% |
| Petrol | 1,690 | 27.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,017 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 6,358 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 5,614 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 4,646 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 3,718 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Galaxy
Before buying a 2008 Ford Galaxy, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Ford Galaxys pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 27,353 2008 Ford Galaxy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Ford Galaxy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.3%).
Does the 2008 Galaxy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.0% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 27,353 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.