Ford Cortina MOT pass rate and common problems
89.0% of 1,109 Ford Cortina MOT tests pass.
The Cortina passes its MOT 89.0% of the time — well above the average across all Ford models, which sits at 76.4%.
The Ford Cortina passes its MOT 89.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Ford Cortina?
This is the average across every Ford Cortina in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Ford’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 71.4% at 6–10 years compared with 89.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (8) | 8 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 71.4% | 35 | 46,020 miles |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (5) | 5 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 89.8% | 1,061 | 48,895 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Cortina
The most common reason the Ford Cortina fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 71.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 71.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 59.0% | Across an axle |
| Suspension | 35.4% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Steering | 22.9% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 20.8% | Not working |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.5% | Emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |
| Tyres | 11.1% | Has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.1% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.9% | Missing |
| Speedometer and speed limiter | 2.8% | Clearly inoperative |
Buying a used Ford Cortina: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Cortina’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 91.8% down to 82.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 71.5% of failed Ford Cortina MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 59.0% of failed Ford Cortina MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 35.4% of failed Ford Cortina MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Steering
Recorded in 22.9% of failed Ford Cortina MOTs.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 20.8% of failed Ford Cortina MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Ford service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Ford models
- Ford Kuga Titanium FRST — 96.5% pass rate
- Ford Transit Custom 300 Trail — 86.4% pass rate
- Ford Benimar — 96.0% pass rate
- Ford Kuga ST-Line First Ed E-Blue — 93.3% pass rate
- Ford Explorer — 79.3% pass rate
- Ford Sierra Sapphire — 93.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Cortina?
- 89.0% of Ford Cortina MOT tests pass, based on 1,109 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Cortina?
- The most common reason the Ford Cortina fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 71.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Ford Cortina?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Cortina are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Cortina?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; steering; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Ford Cortina's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Ford service history guide for how to check and keep one.