Ford Unknown (2008)
2008 Ford Unknown
CarHunch analysed 217 real MOT records for the 2008 Ford Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 Ford Unknown has a first-time pass rate of just 12.1%, catastrophically below the UK average of 80%, and diesel variants are even worse at 5.9%—this is a severely problematic cohort that should concern any potential buyer. The dangerous defect rate of 1.4% is mercifully low, but the core reliability picture is alarming.
At 114,809 miles average, these vehicles are middling in mileage for their age, yet still fail MOT at rates that suggest deep, systemic issues rather than age-related wear. With 0.14 failures and 0.6 advisories per vehicle on average, the problem isn't occasional niggles—it's that the vast majority don't meet legal standards at all. If you're considering this model, get a full pre-purchase inspection from a specialist mechanic and budget heavily for remedial work before it touches an MOT bay.
What to check before buying a 2008 Ford Unknown
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Ford Unknown
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (60%) | 130 | 5.9% | 0.08 |
| Petrol (35%) | 75 | 15.1% | 0.09 |
| Diesel (4%) | 9 | 80.8% | 1.44 |
| Electric (1%) | 2 | 0% | 0 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Ford Unknown vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2008 Ford Unknown vehicles fall between 83,521 and 190,523 miles.
2008 Ford Unknown — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Ford Unknown
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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31.1%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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22.2%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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20%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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13.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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11.1%
Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened
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11.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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8.9%
Parking brake efficiency below requirements
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8.9%
Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Unknown?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.