Ford Falcon Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Falcon car check
Is the Ford Falcon reliable? We analysed 1,760 real MOT tests across 231 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Falcon? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Falcon is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, parking brake recording little or no effort and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Falcon.
Ford Falcon Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Falcon. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Falcon MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Falcon to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Falcon Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Falcon fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Falcon Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Falcon owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Falcon MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Falcon year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 51 | 90.2% | 47,082 | 66,480 | 80,546 |
| 2010 | 95 | 84.2% | 26,997 | 66,190 | 99,628 |
| 2009 | 52 | 84.6% | 13,842 | 29,987 | 116,258 |
| 2008 | 96 | 81.3% | 37,706 | 51,929 | 85,626 |
| 2007 | 84 | 82.1% | 37,972 | 80,034 | 116,071 |
| 2006 | 77 | 77.9% | 31,428 | 71,201 | 97,584 |
| 2005 | 94 | 68.1% | 29,968 | 58,666 | 121,642 |
| 2004 | 211 | 74.9% | 44,506 | 69,631 | 102,210 |
| 2003 | 83 | 73.5% | 48,904 | 74,273 | 156,586 |
| 2002 | 86 | 79.1% | 72,376 | 95,301 | 128,116 |
| 2001 | 53 | 84.9% | 14,200 | 66,438 | 93,815 |
| 2000 | 84 | 75.0% | 85,465 | 98,612 | 133,902 |
| 1997 | 58 | 69.0% | 119,714 | 137,358 | 168,240 |
| 1965 | 68 | 77.9% | 47,610 | 67,321 | 80,880 |
| 1964 | 67 | 88.1% | 14,026 | 31,074 | 57,588 |
How Long Does a Ford Falcon Last?
Based on 231 Ford Falcon vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Falcon Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Falcon 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 Falcon
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.2% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
68.1% MOT pass rate from 94 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Falcon is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.2% across 51 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Falcon Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Falcon THIS CAR | 79.9% | 1,760 | 69,034 mi | 62 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 |
| Volvo V60 Inscription + D4 Auto | 86.5% | 694 | 40,359 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Falcon outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Falcon 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 FalconShould you buy a used Ford Falcon?
The Ford Falcon has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.9% across 1,760 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 Falcon are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (42 recorded failures), parking brake recording little or no effort (40), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (34). 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 Falcon owner drives around 1,080 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 Falcon models stay on UK roads for around 62 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.