Ford Escort MOT pass rate and common problems
81.8% of 22,909 Ford Escort MOT tests pass.
The Escort passes its MOT 81.8% of the time — well above the average across all Ford models, which sits at 76.4%.
The Ford Escort has a pass rate of 81.8%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Ford Escort?
This is the average across every Ford Escort 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
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 95.3% at 3–6 years to 81.7% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 95.3% | 64 | 23,111 miles |
| 6–10 years | 93.3% | 90 | 44,327 miles |
| 10–15 years | 100.0% | 32 | 39,054 miles |
| 15+ years | 81.7% | 22,721 | 55,105 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Escort
The most common reason the Ford Escort fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 61.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 61.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 53.7% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 51.7% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 44.0% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 26.3% | Emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |
| Visibility | 18.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 11.7% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Tyres | 11.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 6.9% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Ford Escort: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Escort’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.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Ford Escort comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 100.0% to 81.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 77.5% down to 72.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 61.5% of failed Ford Escort MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
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 53.7% of failed Ford Escort MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
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 51.7% of failed Ford Escort MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 11.5% 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. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 44.0% of failed Ford Escort MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 9.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 26.3% of failed Ford Escort MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 5.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
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 Grand C-MAX — 74.9% pass rate
- Ford Transit Courier — 80.6% pass rate
- Ford Mustang — 88.3% pass rate
- Ford Tourneo Connect — 83.4% pass rate
- Ford Tourneo — 78.5% pass rate
- Ford Focus C-MAX — 59.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Escort?
- 81.8% of Ford Escort MOT tests pass, based on 22,909 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Escort?
- The most common reason the Ford Escort fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 61.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Ford Escort?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Escort are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. Rare on young cars, but 13.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Escort?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 Escort'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.