Ford A Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford A car check
Is the Ford A reliable? We analysed 728 real MOT tests across 137 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford A? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford A is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, wheel bearing has excessive play and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford A.
Ford A Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford A. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford A MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford A to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford A Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford A fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford A Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford A owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford A MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford A year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 51 | 92.2% | 4,200 | 40,616 | 77,704 |
| 1930 | 70 | 90.0% | 21,814 | 34,921 | 53,815 |
| 1929 | 55 | 92.7% | 1,959 | 9,203 | 41,836 |
How Long Does a Ford A Last?
Based on 137 Ford A vehicles on UK roads.
Ford A Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford A 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 Ford A
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.7% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
90.0% MOT pass rate from 70 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford A is 1929, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.7% across 55 tests. The 1930 model year has the lowest pass rate at 90.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford A Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford A THIS CAR | 93.5% | 728 | 15,550 mi | 97 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz A 180 AMG Ln Prem + Night ED A | 90.2% | 807 | 22,119 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford A outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford A 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 Ford AShould you buy a used Ford A?
The Ford A has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.5% across 728 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 Ford A are stop lamp not working (8 recorded failures), wheel bearing has excessive play (5), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (5). 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 Ford A owner drives around 295 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 Ford A models stay on UK roads for around 97 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.