Ford Escor Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Escor car check
Is the Ford Escor reliable? We analysed 1,573 real MOT tests across 302 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Escor? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Escor is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Escor.
Ford Escor Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Escor. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Escor MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Escor to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Escor Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Escor fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Escor Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Escor owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Escor MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Escor year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 88 | 56.8% | 40,037 | 71,494 | 81,911 |
| 1997 | 78 | 57.7% | 45,278 | 67,927 | 83,210 |
| 1995 | 236 | 57.6% | 31,986 | 68,898 | 85,725 |
| 1994 | 637 | 58.1% | 46,136 | 71,278 | 84,755 |
| 1993 | 189 | 56.1% | 29,971 | 66,543 | 81,428 |
| 1992 | 161 | 58.4% | 26,288 | 66,862 | 80,016 |
| 1991 | 51 | 60.8% | 18,640 | 70,672 | 81,805 |
How Long Does a Ford Escor Last?
Based on 302 Ford Escor vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Escor Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Escor 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 Escor
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
60.8% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
56.1% MOT pass rate from 189 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Escor is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 60.8% across 51 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Escor Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escor THIS CAR | 58.3% | 1,573 | 68,700 mi | 35 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 |
| Honda Crf 450 L-k | 88.6% | 603 | 3,140 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Escor trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Escor 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 EscorShould you buy a used Ford Escor?
The Ford Escor has an overall MOT pass rate of 58.3% across 1,573 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Ford Escor are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (194 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (170), and brake pipe excessively corroded (168). 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 Escor owner drives around 5,088 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 Escor models stay on UK roads for around 35 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.