Ford Windstar Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Windstar car check
Is the Ford Windstar reliable? We analysed 822 real MOT tests across 169 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Windstar? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Windstar is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include fog lamp not working, position lamp(s) not working and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Windstar.
Ford Windstar Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Windstar. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Windstar MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Windstar to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Windstar Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Windstar fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Windstar Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Windstar owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Windstar MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Windstar year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 129 | 62.0% | 74,513 | 94,812 | 124,007 |
| 2000 | 138 | 65.2% | 75,744 | 103,519 | 139,478 |
| 1999 | 166 | 65.7% | 85,798 | 110,675 | 149,819 |
| 1998 | 99 | 66.7% | 85,833 | 107,917 | 130,864 |
| 1996 | 82 | 62.2% | 82,204 | 94,497 | 128,805 |
| 1995 | 55 | 69.1% | 108,986 | 133,873 | 151,790 |
How Long Does a Ford Windstar Last?
Based on 169 Ford Windstar vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Windstar Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Windstar 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 Windstar
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
69.1% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
62.0% MOT pass rate from 129 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Windstar is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.1% across 55 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Windstar Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Windstar THIS CAR | 65.8% | 822 | 104,777 mi | 31 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 |
| Kawasaki Zx 1002 Kmfnn | 94.4% | 267 | 7,742 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Windstar trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Windstar 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 WindstarShould you buy a used Ford Windstar?
The Ford Windstar has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.8% across 822 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Windstar are fog lamp not working (54 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (44), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (35). 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 Windstar owner drives around 7,925 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 Windstar models stay on UK roads for around 31 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.