Ford Probe Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Probe car check
Is the Ford Probe reliable? We analysed 68,773 real MOT tests across 11,550 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Probe? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Probe is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Probe.
Ford Probe Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Probe. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Probe MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Probe to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Probe Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Probe fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Probe Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Probe owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Probe MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Probe year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 55 | 61.8% | 66,472 | 84,896 | 103,739 |
| 1998 | 706 | 66.6% | 70,332 | 92,650 | 113,259 |
| 1997 | 11,719 | 66.7% | 73,381 | 92,898 | 117,269 |
| 1996 | 13,144 | 65.2% | 74,321 | 93,331 | 114,481 |
| 1995 | 24,894 | 63.1% | 77,447 | 95,968 | 115,970 |
| 1994 | 17,938 | 62.3% | 82,304 | 100,826 | 119,488 |
| 1993 | 75 | 56.0% | 79,209 | 95,910 | 141,692 |
How Long Does a Ford Probe Last?
Based on 11,550 Ford Probe vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Probe Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Probe 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 Probe
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
66.7% MOT pass rate from 11,719 tests
56.0% MOT pass rate from 75 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Probe is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 66.7% across 11,719 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Probe Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Probe THIS CAR | 64.0% | 68,773 | 96,304 mi | 32 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 |
| Toyota Prius Plus | 84.9% | 31,088 | 96,486 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Probe trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Probe 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 ProbeShould you buy a used Ford Probe?
The Ford Probe has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.0% across 68,773 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Ford Probe are constant velocity joint gaiter split (6,655 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4,961), and brake pipe excessively corroded (4,508). 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 Probe owner drives around 3,995 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 Probe models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.