Ford Escort
From 21,650 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Older Escorts fare better: 2002 models pass at 66.4% vs 86.5% for 1985.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are 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 repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced and emissions levels exceed default limits. The top issue, 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 repaired, caused 1,179 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| 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 repaired | 1,179 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 529 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 506 |
| 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. | 464 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 406 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 402 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 388 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 313 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 303 |
| body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 300 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 52.5% of Escort failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 17.8% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £215.
Fuel type matters
Petrol versions pass at 81.3% while Diesel versions pass at 68.3%, a 13 percentage point gap.
Ford Escort on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 1,170 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 145 newly registered, a net loss of 1,025. At this rate, roughly 60.2 years until none remain. Now at 2.9% of its peak (1,936,375 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 14,559 | 41,261 | +34 | -0 | +53 |
| 2025 Q2 | 14,706 | 41,061 | +33 | -0 | +110 |
| 2025 Q1 | 13,428 | 42,229 | +40 | -339 | -299 |
| 2024 Q4 | 13,500 | 42,456 | +38 | -831 | -793 |
| 2024 Q3 | 14,852 | 41,897 | +32 | -188 | -156 |
| 2024 Q2 | 14,977 | 41,928 | +31 | -0 | +555 |
| 2024 Q1 | 13,646 | 42,704 | +55 | -689 | -634 |
| 2023 Q4 | 13,431 | 43,553 | +41 | -210 | -169 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escort | Diesel | 1,614 | 16% |
| Escort L | Diesel | 829 | 8% |
| Escort Rs Turbo | Petrol | 756 | 8% |
| Escort Mexico | Petrol | 642 | 6% |
| Escort Rs 2000 | Petrol | 573 | 6% |
| Escort 1.6I Cabriolet | Gas | 544 | 5% |
| Escort Ghia | Petrol | 517 | 5% |
| Escort Rs Custom | Petrol | 508 | 5% |
| Escort Xr3 Inj | Petrol | 505 | 5% |
| Escort 55 D | Diesel | 476 | 5% |
| Escort Rs | Petrol | 431 | 4% |
| Escort 1600 Sport | Petrol | 419 | 4% |
| Escort Rs Cosworth | Petrol | 380 | 4% |
| Escort Popular | Gas | 320 | 3% |
| Escort Popular Plus | Petrol | 274 | 3% |
| Escort 1100 L | Petrol | 271 | 3% |
| Escort 1300 L | Petrol | 264 | 3% |
| Escort 1300 Xl | Petrol | 215 | 2% |
| Escort Finesse | Diesel | 215 | 2% |
| Escort Lx | Diesel | 212 | 2% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 66.4% | 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 repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2001 | 66.2% | 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 repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2000 | 67.1% | 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 repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1999 | 64.6% | 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 repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
27 earlier years
| 1998 | 70.7% | 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 repaired, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1997 | 69.7% | 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 repaired, 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. |
| 1996 | 75.4% | 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 repaired, 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. |
| 1995 | 79.9% | vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 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 repaired |
| 1994 | 80.1% | 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 repaired, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1993 | 77.7% | emissions levels exceed default limits, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1992 | 85.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1991 | 81.9% | service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1990 | 82.2% | 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 repaired, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1989 | 84.1% | 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 repaired, 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. |
| 1988 | 83.4% | emissions levels exceed default limits, 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 repaired |
| 1987 | 78.1% | 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 repaired, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1986 | 86.8% | body, cab or chassis corroded at mounting points to the extent that overall security or stability is impaired, 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. |
| 1985 | 86.5% | 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 repaired, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 1984 | 78.9% | 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., the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1983 | 92.7% | vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1982 | 84% | 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., a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated |
| 1980 | 92.5% | emissions levels exceed default limits, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1979 | 92.9% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, number plate does not conform to the specified requirements |
| 1978 | 92.9% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1977 | 94.6% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1976 | 96.7% | a tyre not fitted in compliance with the manufacturers sidewall instruction, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1975 | 92% | emissions levels exceed default limits, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 1974 | 91.6% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 1973 | 92.3% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 1972 | 94% | a suspension component insecurely attached to chassis or axle, 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 repaired |
| 1971 | 82.6% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, audible warning sound not in accordance with requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all Escorts tested had between 33,552 and 81,593 miles on the clock.
At 67,837 median miles, the Escort has 0.03 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Ford models
| Ford Fiesta | 72.9% |
| Ford Focus | 74.7% |
| Ford Transit | 70.4% |
| Ford Kuga | 82.2% |
| Ford Mondeo | 73.8% |
Common questions
What is the Ford Escort MOT pass rate?
The Ford Escort has a 79.9% MOT pass rate based on 21,650 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Ford Escort?
The most common MOT failure on the Ford Escort is 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 repaired, which caused 1,179 failures. Other common issues include vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced.
How many Ford Escorts are on UK roads?
There are 14,559 Ford Escorts currently licensed on UK roads, with 41,261 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Ford Escort at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Ford Escort is 67,837 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 33,552 and 81,593 miles.
Buying a used Escort?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 79.9% pass rate and an average repair bill of £215 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 52.5% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.