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Ford Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Ford Unknown reliable? We analysed 10,112 real MOT tests across 3,315 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 10,112 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.2%
Typical Mileage
42,344mi
Annual Mileage
3,674mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
23yrs

The Ford Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Unknown.

Ford Unknown Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Ford Unknown. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Ford Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Ford Unknown to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

93.7%
2023
90.7%
2022
88.9%
2021
86.9%
2020
87.9%
2019
85.2%
2018
87.5%
2017
85.2%
2016
80.9%
2015
80.5%
2014
79.7%
2013
75.6%
2012
82.5%
2011
80.3%
2010
72.4%
2009
80.9%
2008
83.3%
2007
80%
2006
78.1%
2005
74%
2004

Ford Unknown Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Ford Unknown models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 49
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value 45

Ford Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Ford Unknown owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,401 mi/yr
Typical
3,674 mi/yr
Average
6,232 mi/yr
Heavy usage
7,746 mi/yr

Ford Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Unknown year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2023 79 93.7% 6,747 8,875 15,540
2022 216 90.7% 7,058 11,412 21,561
2021 523 88.9% 8,200 14,051 22,905
2020 411 86.9% 10,805 24,278 54,345
2019 521 87.9% 13,468 26,992 52,466
2018 687 85.2% 15,526 27,967 47,851
2017 714 87.5% 18,286 32,683 53,915
2016 675 85.2% 19,246 39,827 66,073
2015 1,329 80.9% 27,210 49,767 73,974
2014 1,129 80.5% 30,575 54,838 80,921
2013 1,149 79.7% 28,608 51,838 79,182
2012 90 75.6% 48,041 78,956 138,913
2011 97 82.5% 47,750 77,546 134,937
2010 76 80.3% 67,886 85,458 125,442
2009 116 72.4% 82,454 99,407 132,627
2008 110 80.9% 45,005 84,619 163,849
2007 126 83.3% 55,502 79,164 121,345
2006 125 80.0% 51,884 82,179 111,728
2005 105 78.1% 47,656 73,172 128,914
2004 100 74.0% 54,560 83,343 117,293

How Long Does a Ford Unknown Last?

Based on 3,315 Ford Unknown vehicles on UK roads.

Average
16.8 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
23 years

Ford Unknown Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Ford Unknown MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
42,344 mi
75th Percentile
76,045 mi
95th Percentile
155,101 mi
Max Recorded
922,299 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Ford Unknown

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2023

93.7% MOT pass rate from 79 tests

Year to avoid
2000

59.3% MOT pass rate from 54 tests

The best year to buy a used Ford Unknown is 2023, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.7% across 79 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Ford Unknown Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ford Unknown THIS CAR 83.2% 10,112 42,344 mi 23 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
Volkswagen Polo Active TSI 92.2% 3,992 23,184 mi — yrs

Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Unknown outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Ford Unknown?

The Ford Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.2% across 10,112 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ford Unknown with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Ford Unknown owner drives around 3,674 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 Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.

Ford Unknown — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ford Unknown reliable?
Based on 10,112 MOT tests, the Ford Unknown has a 83.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Ford Unknown?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Ford Unknown do per year?
The typical Ford Unknown does around 3,674 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ford Unknown last?
Most Ford Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 23 years based on our analysis of 3,315 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ford Unknown?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Ford Unknown?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Ford Unknown is 2023 with a 93.7% pass rate across 79 tests.