Ford Model T Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Model T car check
Is the Ford Model T reliable? We analysed 1,342 real MOT tests across 280 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Model T? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Model T is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush and tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Model T.
Ford Model T Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Model T. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Model T MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Model T to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Model T Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Model T fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Model T Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Model T owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Model T MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Model T year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 69 | 94.2% | 1,719 | 7,837 | 10,470 |
| 1921 | 91 | 97.8% | 3,750 | 5,209 | 8,241 |
How Long Does a Ford Model T Last?
Based on 280 Ford Model T vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Model T Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Model T 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 Model T
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
97.8% MOT pass rate from 91 tests
94.2% MOT pass rate from 69 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Model T is 1921, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.8% across 91 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 94.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Model T Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Model T THIS CAR | 95.7% | 1,342 | 5,946 mi | 105 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 |
| Fiat Uno 45 Fire | 63.6% | 462 | 61,992 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Model T outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Model T 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 Model TShould you buy a used Ford Model T?
The Ford Model T has an overall MOT pass rate of 95.7% across 1,342 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 Model T are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (6 recorded failures), leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (6), and tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4). 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 Model T owner drives around 294 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 Model T models stay on UK roads for around 105 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.