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Ford Galaxy

Q: What are the most common Ford Galaxy faults?

On Ford Galaxy MOTs at ages 6-9, the items testers record most often are: Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users (8.9% of tests); A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (4.9% of tests); A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (3.3% of tests); A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED (2.3% of tests); Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements (2.0% of tests). Figures are from DVSA 2025 data.

All generations and engines together · 43,212 MOT tests in the 2025 data · typical mileage at age 7: 102k

Reliability verdict

CBy age

BBy miles

Graded against its peers

Middling for its age among people carriers, and better than most per mile driven. Watch suspension and lights & electrics. A fair used buy, provided its MOT history has no repeating suspension advisories.

First-time failure at age 7

21.6%

Across 4,820 tests. The average for people carriers is 20.6%.

First-time failure at 50-60k miles

22.6%

Across 2,452 tests. The average for people carriers is 24.9%.

Rank in its class

12 of 23

1 = lowest failure rate among the 23 people carriers we can rank.

Typical mileage at age 7

102k miles

How far the average car has gone by seven years old. Low-mileage models can look better by age than they are.

Generation

Split by first-registration year. Cars registered in a changeover year can belong to either generation.

What owners report

Reported

Owner folklore from forums and the motoring press, with how well each report stands up. Most of it never shows up in an MOT, which is why this section exists at all.

EGR clogging and limp-home mode

Emerging

On the TDCi diesels the EGR system can clog and trigger the amber Engine Malfunction light with a noticeable drop in power, often after a run of short, cold journeys that never let the engine warm through properly. Owners report it clearing after a spell of sustained motorway driving, but it tends to come back on cars used mostly for the school run and shops. A proper EGR clean or replacement runs to a few hundred pounds; there's no fixed mileage pattern.

Reported on 2.0 and 2.2 TDCi diesels, mostly short-journey cars · sources: Honest John reader reports

PowerShift automatic judder and clutch failure

DisputedAutomatic (PowerShift), 2006-2015 diesel only

The dual-clutch PowerShift gearbox fitted to diesel automatics on the pre-2015 Galaxy needs its fluid and filter changed roughly every three years, or the clutch packs wear and give juddery, jerky take-up from a stop. Owners have reported clutch pack replacements around £900-£1,000 and full mechatronic unit failures quoted at £2,100-£2,600. A full fluid change history seems to be the difference between a car that's fine and one heading for a new gearbox.

Reported 60-110k miles on neglected examples · sources: Honest John reader reports

1.6 EcoBoost coolant leaks and cracked cylinder head

Confirmed pattern1.6 EcoBoost petrol only

The 1.6 EcoBoost petrol has a history of cooling system leaks that can end in a cracked cylinder head if not caught early. Ford ran a recall (ref 17S09) covering leak and fire risk on affected cars, but owners report coolant loss returning even after dealer repairs and sensor changes. One owner was quoted around £8,600 for a replacement engine once the head had gone, so check coolant level and ask whether the recall work was done.

Reported from around 40k miles · sources: Honest John reader reports

Touchscreen and electrical gremlins

Emerging

Touchscreen sat-nav and climate control units have failed on cars across both the pre- and post-2015 Galaxy, sometimes with long waits for replacement parts. Separately, owners have reported random shutdowns, false dash warnings for tyre pressure and brake fluid, and battery drain traced back to a body control module fault. None of it is officially recognised as a pattern, but it comes up often enough in reader reports to be worth testing properly on a viewing.

Reported across ages and mileages, both generations · sources: Honest John reader reports

LED headlight recall aftermath

Confirmed pattern

Ford recalled post-2015 Galaxys in 2016 (ref 2016/113) to fix an LED headlight software fault. Some owners who had the fix applied then found the headlights ran dimmer and reacted more slowly, with dark patches when following another car. Worth checking the dip beam properly after dark on a test drive, since a car can have had the recall done and still not throw a great beam.

Mk3, 2015-2023 · sources: Honest John reader reports

2.0 TDCi vacuum pump and cambelt pulley wear

Disputed2.0 TDCi diesel only

On the 2.0 TDCi diesel, several owners report the brake servo vacuum pump failing, and cambelt pulleys turning noisy well before the official replacement interval. Camshaft oil seals often get replaced alongside the cambelt as a precaution, typically around 65,000 miles. None of this throws a dashboard warning, so a seller may genuinely not know it's coming.

Reported from around 60-65k miles · sources: Honest John reader reports

What to check on this car

Ranked from this model’s own MOT record, then from what owners report.

Saveable checklist

From this model’s MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

LeaksRuns high on this model Look at the ground where the car usually stands, then glance under the engine after your test drive. Fresh drips of oil or coolant are the cheapest warning you will ever get about a car.Recorded on 8.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

Lights and horn walkroundRuns high on this model With a helper, run every light: dipped, main beam, indicators, brake lights including the high-level one, reverse, fog, and the horn. On newer cars a dead LED section can mean replacing the whole lamp unit rather than a bulb.Recorded on 4.6% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.2%

Bushes and ball joints Drive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 4.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 5.9%

Headlamp lensesRuns high on this model Check for condensation inside the headlamps and for cloudy or yellowed lenses. Both attract MOT trouble, and moisture inside a sealed LED unit generally means a whole new lamp.Recorded on 2.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.3%

Dampers Look for oil misting on the damper body behind each wheel, then push down hard on each corner of the car. It should settle in one bounce. A floaty or crashy ride on the test drive is the same fault felt from the driver's seat.Recorded on 1.2% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.3%

Rubber boots and gaiters On full steering lock, look in behind each front wheel at the concertina rubber boots on the driveshafts and steering rack. Splits, or grease flung around the arch, mean dirt is getting into a joint that costs far more than the boot protecting it.Recorded on 1.0% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Seatbelts Tug each belt sharply to check the locking mechanism catches, then make sure every belt runs out freely and clicks home. A lazy retractor is an MOT failure and often a seats-out job to put right.Recorded on 0.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.0%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller’s upkeep rather than the model, and they are where the haggling money is.

Tyres, all fourRuns high on this model Check the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 31.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 20.1%

Pads and discsRuns high on this model Look through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 16.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 8.7%

Windscreen and wipers Scan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 2.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.7%

From this model’s MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this model Drive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 20.9% of tests of this generation · class average 7.5%

Coil springsRuns high on this model Look through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 15.8% of tests of this generation · class average 3.6%

Underneath, with a torchRuns high on this model Get down and look at the sills, the subframes and the rear suspension mounting points. Flaking scale and bubbling matter; light surface rust does not. On older cars this is the one check that finds the fault that scraps them.Recorded on 14.0% of tests of this generation · class average 2.2%

Rubber boots and gaitersRuns high on this model On full steering lock, look in behind each front wheel at the concertina rubber boots on the driveshafts and steering rack. Splits, or grease flung around the arch, mean dirt is getting into a joint that costs far more than the boot protecting it.Recorded on 6.4% of tests of this generation · class average 1.1%

DampersRuns high on this model Look for oil misting on the damper body behind each wheel, then push down hard on each corner of the car. It should settle in one bounce. A floaty or crashy ride on the test drive is the same fault felt from the driver's seat.Recorded on 5.3% of tests of this generation · class average 2.8%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller’s upkeep rather than the model, and they are where the haggling money is.

Windscreen and wipersRuns high on this model Scan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 4.5% of tests of this generation · class average 2.4%

From this model’s MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Lights and horn walkround With a helper, run every light: dipped, main beam, indicators, brake lights including the high-level one, reverse, fog, and the horn. On newer cars a dead LED section can mean replacing the whole lamp unit rather than a bulb.Recorded on 3.6% of tests of this generation · class average 2.5%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller’s upkeep rather than the model, and they are where the haggling money is.

Tyres, all four Check the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 30.4% of tests of this generation · class average 23.3%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the reports above rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Start a diesel stone cold and watch for the Engine Malfunction light or a flat spot in power. That's the EGR clogging issue; it points to a car used mostly on short journeys.

On a diesel automatic, ask for proof the PowerShift fluid and filter have been changed every 3 years, then feel for judder pulling away from a stop. No history and any judder means the clutch packs are already on the way out.

On a 1.6 EcoBoost petrol, check the coolant level and ask if the cooling system recall (17S09) was carried out. Low or topped-up coolant with no recall stamp is the early sign of the head-cracking issue.

Try every button on the touchscreen, sat-nav and climate control. Dead zones or a frozen screen mean a costly unit swap with a possible parts wait.

Do a night-time or dim-garage check of the headlights, especially on a post-2015 car. Dim or sluggish beams even after the recall fix suggest the update hasn't fully solved it.

On a 2.0 TDCi, listen for a rattly cambelt pulley and ask when the cambelt and vacuum pump were last done. No record by 65k miles means both are due, and neither shows up as a warning light.

Read the full MOT history, not just the pass certificates. The same advisory repeating year after year means nobody has actually fixed it.

Open the saveable checklist, tick it off at the car

The MOT data

Measured

Computed from DVSA MOT results, all of Great Britain, 2025. Nothing here is opinion.

How this model wears

Ford GalaxyClass average, all tracked models

What testers flag

Share of tests where each item was recorded. The dark tick is the class average across all tracked models; bars are scaled within each group.

Faults with the car itself

The rows that judge the model rather than its keeper. 15,657 tests in this band.

Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users

Advisory

8.9%class 2.0%

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

Advisory

4.9%class 5.9%

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

Fail

3.3%class 1.3%

A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED

Fail

2.3%class 0.8%

Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

Advisory

2.0%class 0.3%

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage

Advisory

1.2%class 2.3%

Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements

Fail

1.1%class 0.1%

A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated

Minor

1.0%class 0.6%

Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended

Advisory

0.8%class 0.0%

Wear, upkeep and luck

Tyres, pads and stone chips say more about how the car was driven and maintained than about how it was built.

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

Advisory

35.4%class 22.9%

A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm

Advisory

16.3%class 8.7%

Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured

Advisory

9.2%class 10.1%

A tyre seriously damaged

Advisory

8.1%class 12.7%

A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources

Minor

4.6%class 1.2%

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Advisory

4.5%class 2.2%

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

Fail

4.0%class 2.3%

A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm

Fail

3.7%class 1.6%

Others in its class

Same segment (MPVs), best MOT record first. Compare before you shortlist.

Kia Venga14.3%Hyundai ix2015.0%BMW 2 Series (incl. Tourers)16.2%Volkswagen Sharan18.4%Toyota Verso18.4%Mercedes B-Class18.7%See all MPVsreliability ranked

Ford Galaxy

Generation

What owners report

EGR clogging and limp-home mode

PowerShift automatic judder and clutch failure

1.6 EcoBoost coolant leaks and cracked cylinder head

Touchscreen and electrical gremlins

LED headlight recall aftermath

2.0 TDCi vacuum pump and cambelt pulley wear

What to check on this car

From this model’s MOT record

Worth doing on any used car

From this model’s MOT record

Worth doing on any used car

From this model’s MOT record

Worth doing on any used car

Because of what owners report

The MOT data

How this model wears

What testers flag

Faults with the car itself

Wear, upkeep and luck

By fuel & engine

Others in its class