Ford Lincoln Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Lincoln car check
Is the Ford Lincoln reliable? We analysed 1,753 real MOT tests across 270 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Lincoln? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Lincoln is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, brake pipe excessively corroded and track rod end ball joint has excessive play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Lincoln.
Ford Lincoln Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Lincoln. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Lincoln MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Lincoln to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Lincoln Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Lincoln fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Lincoln Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Lincoln owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Lincoln MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Lincoln year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 51 | 78.4% | 102,601 | 125,743 | 195,000 |
| 2003 | 74 | 73.0% | 62,599 | 79,302 | 109,644 |
| 2002 | 112 | 75.9% | 111,811 | 134,260 | 170,563 |
| 2001 | 143 | 73.4% | 77,924 | 117,096 | 134,831 |
| 2000 | 224 | 70.1% | 103,858 | 132,552 | 161,050 |
| 1999 | 157 | 71.3% | 108,726 | 138,676 | 185,281 |
| 1998 | 173 | 65.9% | 92,929 | 131,771 | 176,302 |
| 1997 | 99 | 74.7% | 90,742 | 123,450 | 175,124 |
| 1996 | 93 | 66.7% | 97,210 | 116,603 | 141,508 |
| 1995 | 148 | 64.9% | 113,508 | 131,318 | 171,638 |
| 1994 | 84 | 64.3% | 88,816 | 126,937 | 174,056 |
| 1993 | 73 | 82.2% | 38,325 | 89,992 | 137,034 |
| 1991 | 61 | 86.9% | 32,352 | 37,262 | 79,923 |
How Long Does a Ford Lincoln Last?
Based on 270 Ford Lincoln vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Lincoln Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.9% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
64.3% MOT pass rate from 84 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Lincoln is 1991, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.9% across 61 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Lincoln Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Lincoln THIS CAR | 72.2% | 1,753 | 115,289 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 |
| Mercedes C200 Sport CDI A | 71.8% | 917 | 125,130 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Lincoln trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Lincoln 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 LincolnShould you buy a used Ford Lincoln?
The Ford Lincoln has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.2% across 1,753 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Lincoln are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (99 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (93), and track rod end ball joint has excessive play (92). 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 Lincoln owner drives around 3,736 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 Lincoln 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.