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Ford Escort reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 75,241 MOT tests of cars first registered 1980–2002.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
68.6%pass first time
+1.8 ptsvs typical car
Beats 60%of cars
75,241MOT tests

Verdict

The Ford Escort passes its MOT first time on 68.6% of tests, 1.8 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (66.9%). That puts it ahead of 60% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 1980 Escort does best (beats 100% of cars) and the 1997 worst (beats 12%).

Better than average on steering.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.3×as often as a typical car
Body & structure1.3×as often as a typical car
Component mounting prescribed areas1.9×as often as a typical car
Prescribed areas2.2×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

45%50%55%60%65%161718192049%49%51%52%53%
Ford EscortTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1980
Beats 100%
1983
Beats 98%
1985
Beats 98%
1986
Beats 92%
1987
Beats 77%
1988
Beats 74%
1989
Beats 76%
1990
Beats 76%
1991
Beats 76%
1992
Beats 100%
1993
Beats 100%
1994
Beats 73%
1995
Beats 67%
1996
Beats 44%
1997
Beats 12%
1998
Beats 13%
1999
Beats 15%
2000
Beats 27%
2001
Beats 56%
2002
Beats 58%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1983–200044,28970.1%Beats 53%C
1.8 Diesel1999–200213,81954.8%Beats 51%C
2.0 Petrol1980–19969,01188.4%Beats 100%A
1.8 Petrol1996–19986,29959.3%Beats 18%E
1.3 Petrol1990–19901,82372.7%Beats 57%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 6.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 13.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 12.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 4.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 3.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 11.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 12.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.1 ptsTyres: 4.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 3.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 11.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.1 ptsSuspension: 13.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−2.8 ptsExhaust: 6.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.3 ptsSuspension: 13.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 11.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 4.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 3.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 12.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 6.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 12.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.1 ptsTyres: 4.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 3.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 11.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.1 ptsSuspension: 13.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−2.8 ptsExhaust: 6.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 13.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
13.4% vs 10.6%
Lights & electrics
12.9% vs 15.9%
Brakes
11.1% vs 11.0%
Body & structure
10.0% vs 7.7%
Emissions & leaks
6.0% vs 6.3%
Visibility
5.9% vs 6.8%
Seat belts & airbags
4.5% vs 2.6%
Tyres
4.0% vs 3.7%
Steering
1.9% vs 3.1%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Windscreen washers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Brake performance
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k74%76%73%68%67%57%54%
Ford EscortTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Component mounting prescribed areas6.3%3.3%1.9×
Drive shaft (CV) joints3.3%1.9%1.7×
Headlight aim3.3%4.1%0.8×
Prescribed areas3.1%1.4%2.2×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.9%2.4%1.2×
Service brake imbalance2.8%1.9%1.5×
Windscreen washers2.7%3.3%0.8×
Sidelights2.7%3.2%0.8×
Windscreen wipers2.6%3.1%0.8×
Brake performance2.6%2.4%1.1×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired66.5
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc34.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements32.7
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.30.7
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired30.5
Emissions levels exceed default limits28.3
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn28.0
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen27.4
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2002 Ford Escort1 engine54.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Diesel4,20754.7%Beats 58%C
2001 Ford Escort1 engine54.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Diesel5,53954.9%Beats 56%C
2000 Ford Escort2 engines52.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol4,46150.7%Beats 17%E
1.8 Diesel2,56454.3%Beats 47%C
1999 Ford Escort2 engines55.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,82554.5%Beats 13%E
1.8 Diesel1,50955.7%Beats 17%E
1998 Ford Escort2 engines56.1% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2,41754.9%Beats 12%E
1.8 Petrol2,33957.3%Beats 15%E
1997 Ford Escort2 engines57.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2,89056.0%Beats 8%E
1.8 Petrol2,55459.2%Beats 17%E
1996 Ford Escort3 engines67.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2,20857.1%Beats 10%E
2.0 Petrol1,76882.7%Beats 98%A
1.8 Petrol1,40662.7%Beats 26%D
1995 Ford Escort2 engines72.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,65557.8%Beats 8%E
2.0 Petrol1,61988.0%Beats 100%A
1994 Ford Escort2 engines73.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,21158.1%Beats 8%E
2.0 Petrol1,14290.5%Beats 100%A
1993 Ford Escort1 engine89.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,61389.7%Beats 100%A
1992 Ford Escort1 engine88.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,21788.0%Beats 100%A
1991 Ford Escort1 engine76.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,65076.7%Beats 76%B
1990 Ford Escort2 engines77.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol5,88879.0%Beats 83%A
1.3 Petrol1,82372.7%Beats 57%C
1989 Ford Escort1 engine77.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol6,76677.9%Beats 76%B
1988 Ford Escort1 engine77.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol3,92177.6%Beats 74%B
1987 Ford Escort1 engine78.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2,38478.0%Beats 77%B
1986 Ford Escort1 engine80.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol2,08280.8%Beats 92%A
1985 Ford Escort1 engine84.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol3,42884.0%Beats 98%A
1983 Ford Escort1 engine84.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol1,50384.1%Beats 98%A
1980 Ford Escort1 engine92.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,65292.4%Beats 100%A

FAQ

What is the Ford Escort MOT pass rate?

68.6% of MOT tests on the Ford Escort were passed first time, based on 75,241 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1980–2002. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 66.9% of the time.

Is the Ford Escort reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 60% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Ford Escort year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 1980 Escort does best for its age and mileage: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 1997 does worst: it beats 12%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Ford Escort?

The most common failure items are component mounting prescribed areas, drive shaft (CV) joints, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, component mounting prescribed areas comes up 1.9× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.