MOT performance
Ford Escort MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 20,696 MOT tests of the Ford Escort in 2023–2024, 76.3% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Ford Escorts failed 14% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength”, on 3.74% of tests.
20,696 MOT tests on 13,033 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 76.3% | ±0.6 pts (95%), n = 20,696 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.86× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 4.7% | n = 20,696 |
| Average age at test | 24.4 years | n = 20,696 |
| Median mileage at test | 57,334 miles | n = 20,696 |
| Vehicles tested | 13,033 | 2023–2024 |
Where Ford Escorts fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 10.1% | -21% |
| Suspension | 8.4% | +4% |
| Brakes | 7.9% | -12% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 7.2% | +13% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.0% | -10% |
| Driver's view of the road | 4.4% | -24% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2.5% | +27% |
| Tyres | 2.2% | -13% |
| Steering | 1.6% | -38% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% | -32% |
| Road wheels | 0.2% | +28% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -44% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | Suspension | 3.74% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 2.46% |
| Service brake imbalance: across an axle | Brakes | 2.36% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.88% |
| Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | Seat belts and airbags | 1.82% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.71% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.44% |
| Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 1.41% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 1.35% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.35% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 9.14% |
| Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.03% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 5.19% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 5.11% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 3.87% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ | 20,493 | 76.1% | -14% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 656 | 60.5% | 0.95× |
| 2001 | 850 | 62.0% | 0.94× |
| 2000 | 983 | 57.8% | 1.14× |
| 1999 | 462 | 56.9% | 1.35× |
| 1998 | 914 | 62.5% | 1.33× |
| 1997 | 1,174 | 60.1% | 1.49× |
| 1996 | 1,228 | 67.4% | 1.22× |
| 1995 | 904 | 74.0% | 0.99× |
| 1994 | 705 | 73.5% | 0.99× |
| 1993 | 711 | 77.5% | 0.86× |
| 1992 | 563 | 82.8% | 0.66× |
| 1991 | 544 | 78.9% | 0.80× |
| 1990 | 1,832 | 78.9% | 0.82× |
| 1989 | 1,782 | 79.8% | 0.80× |
| 1988 | 1,116 | 79.4% | 0.81× |
| 1987 | 657 | 78.5% | 0.85× |
| 1986 | 531 | 82.1% | 0.69× |
| 1985 | 871 | 84.4% | 0.61× |
| 1983 | 350 | 87.1% | 0.50× |
| 1980 | 674 | 94.5% | 0.22× |
| 1979 | 542 | 92.6% | 0.29× |
| 1978 | 394 | 92.1% | 0.31× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Check a specific Ford Escort
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.