Ford Probe
From 850 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are 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 and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. The top issue, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, caused 54 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 54 |
| 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 | 53 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 27 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 21 |
| emissions test unable to be completed | 20 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 20 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 19 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 18 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 18 |
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 18 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 55.2% of Probe failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 10.1% 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 £228.
Ford Probe on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 29 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 29. At this rate, roughly 37.9 years until none remain. Now at 6.9% of its peak (15,292 in 1999 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 240 | 822 | +0 | -2 | -2 |
| 2025 Q2 | 239 | 825 | +0 | -0 | +2 |
| 2025 Q1 | 204 | 858 | +0 | -12 | -12 |
| 2024 Q4 | 203 | 871 | +0 | -15 | -15 |
| 2024 Q3 | 230 | 859 | +0 | -7 | -7 |
| 2024 Q2 | 237 | 859 | +0 | -0 | +0 |
| 2024 Q1 | 218 | 878 | +0 | -10 | -10 |
| 2023 Q4 | 223 | 883 | +0 | -5 | -5 |
2 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probe 24V | Petrol | 149 | 62% |
| Probe 16V | Petrol | 91 | 38% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 70.1% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 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 |
| 1996 | 73% | 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 |
| 1995 | 71.3% | 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 |
Typical mileage
Half of all Probes tested had between 81,926 and 126,980 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 102,968 median miles, the Probe has 0.027 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 Probe MOT pass rate?
The Ford Probe has a 72.6% MOT pass rate based on 850 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Ford Probe?
The most common MOT failure on the Ford Probe is vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, which caused 54 failures. Other common issues include 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.
How many Ford Probes are on UK roads?
There are 240 Ford Probes currently licensed on UK roads, with 822 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Ford Probe at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Ford Probe is 102,968 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 81,926 and 126,980 miles.
Buying a used Probe?
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 72.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £228 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 55.2% 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.