Ford Thunderbird Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Thunderbird car check
Is the Ford Thunderbird reliable? We analysed 3,444 real MOT tests across 538 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Thunderbird? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Thunderbird is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Thunderbird.
Ford Thunderbird Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Thunderbird. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Thunderbird MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Thunderbird to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Thunderbird Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Thunderbird fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Thunderbird Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Thunderbird owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Thunderbird MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Thunderbird year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 64 | 75.0% | 40,994 | 62,999 | 69,845 |
| 2015 | 80 | 81.3% | 25,436 | 46,499 | 70,734 |
| 2005 | 188 | 80.9% | 20,310 | 33,614 | 58,842 |
| 2004 | 198 | 86.9% | 15,814 | 31,933 | 49,915 |
| 2003 | 166 | 75.9% | 10,223 | 24,400 | 47,526 |
| 2002 | 347 | 82.1% | 18,816 | 45,990 | 61,931 |
| 1997 | 99 | 78.8% | 46,719 | 62,183 | 94,964 |
| 1995 | 143 | 84.6% | 44,293 | 80,000 | 108,035 |
| 1994 | 83 | 81.9% | 41,669 | 73,743 | 97,376 |
| 1993 | 61 | 82.0% | 87,868 | 116,949 | 120,193 |
| 1992 | 62 | 79.0% | 43,279 | 89,864 | 111,703 |
| 1991 | 165 | 81.8% | 69,260 | 84,930 | 100,555 |
| 1990 | 213 | 81.2% | 24,917 | 62,031 | 87,432 |
| 1989 | 172 | 82.0% | 43,991 | 65,416 | 98,443 |
| 1988 | 67 | 88.1% | 38,668 | 78,658 | 85,906 |
| 1965 | 67 | 85.1% | 25,562 | 49,670 | 62,416 |
| 1964 | 92 | 94.6% | 26,294 | 50,399 | 65,630 |
| 1962 | 65 | 80.0% | 25,025 | 63,918 | 82,322 |
How Long Does a Ford Thunderbird Last?
Based on 538 Ford Thunderbird vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Thunderbird Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Thunderbird 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 Thunderbird
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.6% MOT pass rate from 92 tests
75.0% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Thunderbird is 1964, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.6% across 92 tests. The 2016 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Thunderbird Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Thunderbird THIS CAR | 82.1% | 3,444 | 51,337 mi | 64 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 |
| Better Bt 125-20 | 67.8% | 1,290 | 4,420 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Thunderbird outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Thunderbird 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 ThunderbirdShould you buy a used Ford Thunderbird?
The Ford Thunderbird has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.1% across 3,444 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 Thunderbird are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (85 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (80), and stop lamp not working (72). 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 Thunderbird owner drives around 492 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 Thunderbird models stay on UK roads for around 64 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.