Ford Taurus Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Taurus car check
Is the Ford Taurus reliable? We analysed 970 real MOT tests across 228 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Taurus? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Taurus is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, direction indicator incorrect colour and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Taurus.
Ford Taurus Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Taurus. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Taurus MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Taurus to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Taurus Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Taurus fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Taurus Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Taurus owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Taurus MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Taurus year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 65 | 70.8% | 46,916 | 89,599 | 132,502 |
| 2002 | 74 | 67.6% | 46,960 | 64,794 | 87,698 |
| 1999 | 81 | 67.9% | 63,059 | 77,508 | 100,918 |
| 1998 | 60 | 71.7% | 48,496 | 85,468 | 123,874 |
| 1997 | 69 | 63.8% | 89,486 | 133,748 | 167,467 |
How Long Does a Ford Taurus Last?
Based on 228 Ford Taurus vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Taurus Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Taurus 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 Taurus
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
71.7% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
63.8% MOT pass rate from 69 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Taurus is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.7% across 60 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Taurus Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Taurus THIS CAR | 72.2% | 970 | 77,908 mi | 29 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 |
| Land Rover Defender XS Edition PHEV Auto | 90.8% | 546 | 32,228 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Taurus trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Taurus 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 TaurusShould you buy a used Ford Taurus?
The Ford Taurus has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.2% across 970 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Taurus are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (42 recorded failures), direction indicator incorrect colour (38), and position lamp(s) not working (31). 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 Taurus owner drives around 5,852 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 Taurus models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.