Ford Cortina Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Cortina car check
Is the Ford Cortina reliable? We analysed 56,538 real MOT tests across 7,991 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Cortina? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Cortina is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Cortina.
Ford Cortina Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Cortina. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Cortina MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Cortina to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Cortina Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Cortina fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Cortina Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Cortina owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Cortina MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Cortina year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 105 | 79.0% | 25,929 | 53,067 | 77,492 |
| 2015 | 98 | 82.7% | 23,768 | 35,378 | 59,957 |
| 2014 | 69 | 85.5% | 11,475 | 51,540 | 71,150 |
| 2012 | 55 | 83.6% | 17,592 | 47,839 | 79,397 |
| 1988 | 54 | 72.2% | 13,608 | 23,516 | 48,501 |
| 1987 | 57 | 71.9% | 10,686 | 52,841 | 67,068 |
| 1986 | 95 | 78.9% | 8,397 | 33,926 | 67,289 |
| 1985 | 54 | 77.8% | 12,933 | 44,006 | 44,374 |
| 1984 | 141 | 79.4% | 19,284 | 64,852 | 87,619 |
| 1983 | 1,240 | 73.3% | 31,186 | 54,803 | 73,496 |
| 1982 | 7,844 | 74.7% | 33,203 | 57,071 | 78,510 |
| 1981 | 3,247 | 75.7% | 27,127 | 51,476 | 74,385 |
| 1980 | 2,196 | 72.4% | 30,115 | 50,978 | 71,432 |
| 1979 | 2,108 | 76.5% | 26,166 | 51,156 | 74,086 |
| 1978 | 968 | 76.4% | 30,349 | 49,632 | 69,484 |
| 1977 | 847 | 78.7% | 20,804 | 44,268 | 65,140 |
| 1976 | 1,070 | 74.3% | 26,406 | 56,094 | 75,379 |
| 1975 | 1,166 | 75.7% | 20,258 | 48,970 | 73,783 |
| 1974 | 1,248 | 79.7% | 34,100 | 58,865 | 77,262 |
| 1973 | 1,902 | 78.2% | 25,040 | 47,728 | 73,555 |
How Long Does a Ford Cortina Last?
Based on 7,991 Ford Cortina vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Cortina Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Cortina 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 Cortina
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.0% MOT pass rate from 1,300 tests
71.9% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Cortina is 1963, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.0% across 1,300 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Cortina Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Cortina THIS CAR | 79.5% | 56,538 | 51,692 mi | 63 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 |
| Fiat 500 Dolcevita MHEV | 90.3% | 26,619 | 18,769 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Cortina outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Cortina 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 CortinaShould you buy a used Ford Cortina?
The Ford Cortina has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.5% across 56,538 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 Cortina are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2,806 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (1,355), and brake binding (1,352). 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 Cortina owner drives around 409 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 Cortina models stay on UK roads for around 63 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.