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L123 ESC

1998 Ford Escort

Blue Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Aug 2027
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

60,483 mi
Last recorded60,483 miles
Recorded on21 Jul 2026
Typical for 1998 Ford Escort63,332 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

RegistrationL123 ESC
MakeFord
ModelEscort
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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 7 fail
Pass 21 Jul 2026 60,483 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 21 Jul 2026 60,483 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 4 Aug 2025 60,314 miles

Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Jul 2024 59,640 miles

Exhaust system slightly deteriorated.

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 11 Aug 2023 59,556 miles
Pass 29 Mar 2022 59,530 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Power steering component has slight seepage from a component rack body (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 22 Mar 2022 59,507 miles

Brake fluid contaminated (1.8 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fluid leak, but not excessive steering rack (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 24 Mar 2021 59,391 miles

Central Front Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Front o s f bumper loose

Offside Front washer jet misaligned but clearing drivers veiw

Pass 29 Jan 2020 59,315 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 23 Jan 2020 59,315 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis rail holed (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis rail holed (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 19 Nov 2019 59,307 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 26 Jul 2018 58,712 miles

corrosion to both rear chassis legs

n/s/r brake binding slightly

slight corrosion appearing both inner sills

Pass 28 Jul 2017 58,396 miles

Slight bind n/s/r brake

both inner sills have corrosion

both sides rear chassis legs corroded

Pass 28 Jul 2016 58,068 miles

both sides rear chassis legs have slight corrosion

slight bind n/s/r brake

slight corrosion appearing on inner sills

Pass 31 Jul 2015 57,593 miles

Bonnet prop not secure in its stay

Both front tyres beginning to wear on inner edges

Exhaust fouling n/s/r handbrake cable

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Fail 27 Jul 2015 57,569 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

Bonnet prop not secure in its stay

Both front tyres beginning to wear on inner edges

Exhaust fouling n/s/r handbrake cable

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 28 Jul 2014 57,176 miles
Pass 29 Jul 2013 56,658 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2012 55,961 miles

Both rear brake pipes slightly corroded

Offside front tyre worn on inside edge

Pass 18 Jul 2011 55,070 miles

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 18 Jul 2011 55,070 miles

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (3.6.A.1)

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

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 22 Jul 2010 54,395 miles

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

slight eueven tread on nearside rear tyre

slight judder on offside front brake

Pass 24 Jul 2009 53,946 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Fail 24 Jul 2009 53,936 miles

Nearside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Pass 21 Jul 2008 53,441 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 19 Jul 2007 52,819 miles

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

Pass 20 Jul 2006 52,143 miles

1,SLIGHT DAMAGE TO O/S/F AND N/S/F FLOOR BY CHASSIS

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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L123 ESC is a 1998 Ford Escort in Blue with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

Across all 1998 Ford Escort models, the average MOT pass rate is 61.6% with a typical mileage of 63,332 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 L123 ESC, 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 28 years old, this Ford Escort is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of L123 ESC?

You can check the full history of L123 ESC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L123 ESC registered?

L123 ESC is a 1998 Ford Escort, first registered on 8 September 1998.

Is L123 ESC safe to buy?

The MOT history for L123 ESC shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L123 ESC 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 L123 ESC. 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.