Ford Escape Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Escape car check
Is the Ford Escape reliable? We analysed 2,747 real MOT tests across 757 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Escape? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Escape is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp(s) not working, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and position lamp(s) incorrect colour. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Escape.
Ford Escape Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Escape. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Escape MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Escape to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Escape Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Escape fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Escape Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Escape owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Escape MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Escape year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 67 | 74.6% | 14,970 | 28,054 | 52,851 |
| 2018 | 58 | 86.2% | 17,702 | 35,601 | 62,780 |
| 2017 | 107 | 84.1% | 21,192 | 49,958 | 82,793 |
| 2016 | 69 | 87.0% | 91 | 32,897 | 57,030 |
| 2015 | 145 | 84.1% | 36,562 | 58,213 | 80,537 |
| 2014 | 154 | 76.6% | 27,074 | 65,418 | 99,558 |
| 2013 | 156 | 82.7% | 17,387 | 56,936 | 91,466 |
| 2012 | 154 | 76.0% | 44,809 | 68,368 | 92,634 |
| 2011 | 151 | 75.5% | 17,180 | 43,809 | 75,972 |
| 2010 | 216 | 74.5% | 29,684 | 50,708 | 79,294 |
| 2009 | 115 | 83.5% | 21,630 | 52,606 | 85,917 |
| 2008 | 188 | 69.7% | 48,714 | 90,516 | 131,544 |
| 2007 | 152 | 74.3% | 37,600 | 82,654 | 127,482 |
| 2006 | 98 | 75.5% | 33,849 | 58,274 | 74,032 |
| 2005 | 178 | 72.5% | 36,277 | 58,754 | 87,414 |
| 2004 | 93 | 68.8% | 51,309 | 65,374 | 80,907 |
| 2003 | 161 | 69.6% | 67,989 | 120,915 | 144,172 |
| 2002 | 152 | 65.1% | 67,059 | 82,256 | 107,966 |
| 2001 | 191 | 68.1% | 65,293 | 87,612 | 114,897 |
How Long Does a Ford Escape Last?
Based on 757 Ford Escape vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Escape Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Escape 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 Escape
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.0% MOT pass rate from 69 tests
65.1% MOT pass rate from 152 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Escape is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.0% across 69 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Escape Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape THIS CAR | 75.9% | 2,747 | 62,860 mi | 25 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 |
| Volkswagen Caddy 69PS Sdi | 77.3% | 2,668 | 150,528 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Escape outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Escape 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 EscapeShould you buy a used Ford Escape?
The Ford Escape has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.9% across 2,747 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 Escape are position lamp(s) not working (66 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (49), and position lamp(s) incorrect colour (42). 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 Escape owner drives around 8,941 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 Escape models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.