Ford Scorpio
From 342 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
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, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced. 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 22 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. 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 | 22 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 18 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 16 |
| body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 12 |
| a flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched | 10 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 8 |
| warning device shows system malfunction | 8 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 6 |
| an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction | 4 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 4 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 35.2% of Scorpio failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 31.5% 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 £200.
Typical mileage
Half of all Scorpios tested had between 58,564 and 153,960 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 96,318 median miles, the Scorpio has 0.022 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 Scorpio MOT pass rate?
The Ford Scorpio has a 78.4% MOT pass rate based on 342 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Ford Scorpio?
The most common MOT failure on the Ford Scorpio 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 22 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a Ford Scorpio at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Ford Scorpio is 96,318 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 58,564 and 153,960 miles.
Buying a used Scorpio?
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 78.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £200 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 35.2% 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.