Ford Orion
From 849 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
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, emissions levels exceed default limits and 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. 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 38 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 | 38 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 23 |
| 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 | 18 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 17 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 16 |
| 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. | 16 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 14 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 14 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 11 |
| a wheel bearing excessively rough | 9 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 41.5% of Orion failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 24.4% 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 £177.
Ford Orion on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 24 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 24. Now at 0.4% of its peak (457,065 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 264 | 1,360 | +0 | -0 | +10 |
| 2025 Q2 | 276 | 1,338 | +0 | -3 | -3 |
| 2025 Q1 | 212 | 1,405 | +0 | -0 | +0 |
| 2024 Q4 | 203 | 1,414 | +0 | -21 | -21 |
| 2024 Q3 | 267 | 1,371 | +0 | -6 | -6 |
| 2024 Q2 | 292 | 1,352 | +0 | -0 | +34 |
| 2024 Q1 | 228 | 1,382 | +0 | -37 | -37 |
| 2023 Q4 | 223 | 1,424 | +1 | -14 | -13 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 78.8% | 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 |
| 1989 | 85.6% | 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 |
| 1988 | 93.3% | emissions levels exceed default limits, excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution. |
Typical mileage
Half of all Orions tested had between 38,556 and 81,236 miles on the clock.
At 55,513 median miles, the Orion has 0.034 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 Orion MOT pass rate?
The Ford Orion has a 81.4% MOT pass rate based on 849 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Ford Orion?
The most common MOT failure on the Ford Orion 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 38 failures. Other common issues include emissions levels exceed default limits.
How many Ford Orions are on UK roads?
There are 264 Ford Orions currently licensed on UK roads, with 1,360 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Ford Orion at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Ford Orion is 55,513 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 38,556 and 81,236 miles.
Buying a used Orion?
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 81.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £177 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 41.5% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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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.