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C242 AEC

1985 Ford Escort

White Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires9 Jul 2026
Tests19 (12 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate63.2%

Mileage

8,182 mi
Last recorded8,182 miles
Recorded on10 Jul 2025
Typical for 1985 Ford Escort52,350 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Ford
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC242 AEC
MakeFord
ModelEscort
Year1985
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,597cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

12 pass 7 fail
Pass 10 Jul 2025 8,182 miles
Pass 22 Oct 2021 7,152 miles
Pass 10 Jul 2020 4,731 miles
Pass 10 Dec 2018 4,166 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2018 4,145 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front inner sill has corrosion but outside mot prescribed area.

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Mar 2017 4,127 miles
Fail 13 Mar 2017 4,123 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill (2.4.A.3)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 22 Feb 2016 4,103 miles

Nearside Outer Body has slight corrosion Sill (6.1.B.2)

Offside Outer Body has slight corrosion Sill (6.1.B.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 21 Oct 2014 3,631 miles

Offside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Slight play nearside front track control arm inner bush

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 15 Oct 2014 3,631 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure (2.2.D.2d)

Offside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Slight play nearside front track control arm inner bush

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 11 Oct 2013 2,771 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 10 Oct 2013 2,770 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement (3.3.A.5)

Centre Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Electrical wiring inadequately supported (1.9.2a)

Nearside Rear Wheel bolt(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Rear Wheel bolt(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 27 Apr 2010 1,805 miles
Fail 27 Apr 2010 1,792 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Both front tyres worn low and worn on inner shoulders

Corrosion appearing to nearside and offside front inner sill areas

Damage to front of vehicle

Gearbox oil leak

Offside rear tyre worn to legal limit

Play in both rear wheel bearings

Tyres on front of vehicle are a different size to the tyres on the rear of the vehicle

Pass 16 Apr 2009 97,021 miles

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 13 Apr 2009 97,021 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 17 Apr 2008 96,000 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

centre rear seat belt missing

gearbox leak

Pass 11 Dec 2006 94,549 miles

center rear seat belt missing

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

offside front tyre close to fouling inner wing on full left hand lock

over sills fitted unable to carry out full inspection of outer sills

Fail 23 Nov 2006 94,548 miles

Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

body kit fitted over sills unable to carry out full inspection off outer sills

offside front tyre close to fouling body on full left hand lock

How Reliable is the Ford Escort?

Based on 4,961,191 MOT tests across 821,553 vehicles.

63.1%
Pass Rate
4,830
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
821,553
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 465,333
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 447,459
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 433,778
Brake pipe excessively corroded 419,450
constant velocity joint gaiter split 203,602
Full Ford Escort reliability report

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C242 AEC is a 1985 Ford Escort in White with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 19 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.2%.

Across all 1985 Ford Escort models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.8% with a typical mileage of 52,350 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Ford Escort fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 465,333 recorded failures. If you're considering buying C242 AEC, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Ford Escort typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 41 years old, this Ford Escort is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of C242 AEC?

You can check the full history of C242 AEC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C242 AEC registered?

C242 AEC is a 1985 Ford Escort, first registered on 16 September 1985.

Is C242 AEC safe to buy?

The MOT history for C242 AEC shows 19 tests with a 63.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C242 AEC have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on C242 AEC. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.