Cadillac Escalade Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Cadillac Escalade car check
Is the Cadillac Escalade reliable? We analysed 2,148 real MOT tests across 293 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Cadillac Escalade? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Cadillac Escalade is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include direction indicator incorrect colour, parking brake recording little or no effort and fog lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Cadillac Escalade.
Cadillac Escalade Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Cadillac Escalade. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Cadillac Escalade MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Cadillac Escalade to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Cadillac Escalade Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Cadillac Escalade fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Cadillac Escalade Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Cadillac Escalade owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Cadillac Escalade MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Cadillac Escalade year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 63 | 82.5% | 33,692 | 52,003 | 82,450 |
| 2011 | 57 | 70.2% | 67,694 | 75,736 | 87,582 |
| 2009 | 145 | 85.5% | 54,214 | 72,739 | 93,688 |
| 2008 | 153 | 75.2% | 44,116 | 68,918 | 97,232 |
| 2007 | 327 | 77.7% | 31,084 | 52,204 | 78,238 |
| 2006 | 160 | 81.9% | 43,968 | 65,361 | 87,276 |
| 2005 | 168 | 82.1% | 66,924 | 87,157 | 114,788 |
| 2004 | 366 | 81.7% | 34,518 | 59,320 | 100,054 |
| 2003 | 143 | 76.2% | 47,218 | 86,249 | 130,915 |
| 2002 | 218 | 72.9% | 64,076 | 86,037 | 126,779 |
How Long Does a Cadillac Escalade Last?
Based on 293 Cadillac Escalade vehicles on UK roads.
Cadillac Escalade Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Cadillac Escalade MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Cadillac Escalade
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.5% MOT pass rate from 145 tests
70.2% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
The best year to buy a used Cadillac Escalade is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.5% across 145 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Cadillac Escalade Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade THIS CAR | 79.6% | 2,148 | 67,102 mi | 24 yrs |
| Cadillac Seville Sts V8 Auto | 78.6% | 4,231 | 69,466 mi | 28 yrs |
| Cadillac Cts | 76.3% | 2,997 | 44,836 mi | 21 yrs |
| Cadillac Fleetwood | 82.9% | 1,425 | 64,614 mi | 47 yrs |
| Ford S-max Zetec TDCI 140 | 85.3% | 955 | 111,032 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Cadillac Seville Sts V8 Auto (78.6% pass rate) and the Cadillac Cts (76.3% pass rate), the Cadillac Escalade outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Cadillac Escalade you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Cadillac EscaladeShould you buy a used Cadillac Escalade?
The Cadillac Escalade has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.6% across 2,148 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Cadillac Escalade are direction indicator incorrect colour (44 recorded failures), parking brake recording little or no effort (36), and fog lamp not working (33). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Cadillac Escalade owner drives around 3,716 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Cadillac Escalade models stay on UK roads for around 24 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.