Ford Escort Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Escort car check
Is the Ford Escort reliable? We analysed 4,961,191 real MOT tests across 821,553 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Escort? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Escort is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Escort.
Ford Escort Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Escort. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Escort MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Escort to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Escort Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Escort fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Escort Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Escort owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Escort MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Escort year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 166 | 85.5% | 28,494 | 42,618 | 60,385 |
| 2018 | 149 | 84.6% | 23,868 | 44,134 | 68,059 |
| 2017 | 231 | 80.5% | 19,873 | 43,740 | 71,084 |
| 2016 | 342 | 79.5% | 20,690 | 39,154 | 72,640 |
| 2015 | 294 | 85.0% | 13,974 | 50,426 | 72,038 |
| 2014 | 197 | 83.2% | 29,687 | 54,210 | 83,591 |
| 2013 | 138 | 84.1% | 8,130 | 36,739 | 80,408 |
| 2012 | 142 | 87.3% | 16,648 | 37,642 | 67,750 |
| 2011 | 216 | 85.6% | 30,590 | 54,256 | 68,078 |
| 2010 | 201 | 86.6% | 15,606 | 46,993 | 83,762 |
| 2009 | 77 | 85.7% | 5,348 | 48,509 | 64,027 |
| 2008 | 97 | 77.3% | 19,910 | 49,082 | 76,538 |
| 2007 | 89 | 87.6% | 4,558 | 10,500 | 84,569 |
| 2005 | 90 | 65.6% | 22,236 | 63,033 | 81,188 |
| 2004 | 137 | 67.9% | 60,703 | 78,862 | 109,136 |
| 2003 | 341 | 65.1% | 45,709 | 68,676 | 89,747 |
| 2002 | 108,986 | 67.7% | 64,080 | 88,294 | 115,963 |
| 2001 | 217,264 | 66.4% | 64,506 | 87,573 | 114,329 |
| 2000 | 426,388 | 65.5% | 57,330 | 78,374 | 102,453 |
| 1999 | 383,786 | 63.0% | 39,231 | 64,030 | 83,045 |
How Long Does a Ford Escort Last?
Based on 821,553 Ford Escort vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Escort Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Escort 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 Escort
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.6% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
59.5% MOT pass rate from 171,995 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Escort is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.6% across 89 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Escort Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escort THIS CAR | 63.1% | 4,961,191 | 64,483 mi | 38 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 |
| Renault Megane Scenic | 66.2% | 1,818,845 | 80,976 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Escort trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Escort 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 EscortShould you buy a used Ford Escort?
The Ford Escort has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.1% across 4,961,191 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Ford Escort are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (465,333 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (447,459), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (433,778). 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 Escort owner drives around 4,830 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 Escort models stay on UK roads for around 38 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.