CarVerify

Free Car Check

H497 NEL

1990 Ford Escort

Grey Petrol 1597cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Jul 2027
Tests35 (20 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

54,222 mi
Last recorded54,222 miles
Recorded on11 Jul 2026
Typical for 1990 Ford Escort54,588 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Ford
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationH497 NEL
MakeFord
ModelEscort
Year1990
ColourGrey
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

20 pass 15 fail
Pass 11 Jul 2026 54,222 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 10 Jul 2025 52,416 miles

Offside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view screen cracked (3.2 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Jul 2024 49,396 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 11 Jul 2024 49,396 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 6 Jul 2023 46,710 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive engine/box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 5 Jul 2022 46,178 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive engine/box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Jul 2022 46,178 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine/box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Jul 2021 45,649 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive engine/box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear both outer wheel arch's corroded

Fail 6 Jul 2021 45,649 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill corroded away (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened arm holed (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor pan holed within 30 cm (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear both outer wheel arch's corroded

Pass 18 Jun 2020 42,794 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 16 Jun 2020 42,794 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Jun 2019 36,699 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive engine /box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) slight

Fail 19 Jun 2019 36,699 miles

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp side & hazard (4.2.3 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge on wear bars (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective full of water (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective water (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine /box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) slight

Pass 8 Jun 2018 28,865 miles
Fail 7 Jun 2018 28,865 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis leg (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 8 Jun 2017 21,742 miles
Pass 1 Jul 2016 15,157 miles

Oil leak gear box

Fail 28 Jun 2016 15,155 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak gear box & engine

Pass 13 Jul 2015 7,278 miles

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 8 Jul 2015 7,278 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 17 Jul 2014 98,920 miles

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Oil leak

Fail 16 Jul 2014 98,920 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated (7.2.4c)

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Nearside front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

Offside Front suspension locking device ineffective (2.5.A.4)

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 12 Aug 2013 89,918 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

front and rear number plates displaying a honeycomb effect background

Fail 8 Aug 2013 89,886 miles

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

front and rear number plates displaying a honeycomb effect background

Fail 23 Jul 2013 89,818 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Steering locking device missing (2.2.C.1g)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

front and rear number plates displaying honeycomb effect background

Pass 16 Jul 2012 79,753 miles
Pass 21 Jul 2011 70,000 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2011 70,000 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 19 Jul 2010 61,449 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

rear brake imbalance 28%

slight play in drivers seat

wipers slightly smearing screen

Pass 15 Jul 2009 55,698 miles

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

o/s headlamp holed

rear brake imbalance 19%

rear coil springs weak action

Fail 14 Jul 2009 55,698 miles

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b) DANGEROUS

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

o/s headlamp holed

rear brake imbalance 19%

rear coil springs weak action

Pass 30 Jul 2008 41,603 miles

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

Fail 29 Jul 2008 41,603 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

Pass 24 Jul 2007 33,472 miles
Fail 24 Jul 2007 33,472 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

H497 NEL is a 1990 Ford Escort in Grey with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

Across all 1990 Ford Escort models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.6% with a typical mileage of 54,588 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 H497 NEL, 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 36 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 H497 NEL?

You can check the full history of H497 NEL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H497 NEL registered?

H497 NEL is a 1990 Ford Escort, first registered on 1 August 1990.

Is H497 NEL safe to buy?

The MOT history for H497 NEL shows 35 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H497 NEL 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 H497 NEL. 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.