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SMU 53Y

1983 Ford Escort

White Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Jun 2027
Tests9 (5 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

58,278 mi
Last recorded58,278 miles
Recorded on11 Jun 2026
Typical for 1983 Ford Escort55,626 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

RegistrationSMU 53Y
MakeFord
ModelEscort
Year1983
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

5 pass 4 fail
Pass 11 Jun 2026 58,278 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2012 51,885 miles

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

VEHICLE/SUSPENSION/SUBFRAMES/REAR BRAKE PIPES CORRODING.ADVANCED PLAY AFFECTING N/S INNER RACK/TOP STRUT MOUNT.

Fail 20 Apr 2012 51,716 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

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

VEHICLE/SUSPENSION/SUBFRAMES/REAR BRAKE PIPES CORRODING.ADVANCED PLAY AFFECTING N/S INNER RACK/TOP STRUT MOUNT.

Pass 28 Apr 2011 37,230 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Apr 2011 37,228 miles

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

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

Pass 13 Jun 2009 25,131 miles
Fail 8 Apr 2009 25,103 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Corrosion at rear underneath.

Front floor excessively corroded outside area covered by mot.

N/s outer driveshaft gaiter is perished.

Oil leaks.

Some play in both ends of steering rack.

Various metal brake pipes corroding.

Pass 16 Jan 2006 23,571 miles
Fail 4 Jan 2006 23,571 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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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SMU 53Y is a 1983 Ford Escort in White with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 9 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

Across all 1983 Ford Escort models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.9% with a typical mileage of 55,626 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 SMU 53Y, 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 43 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 SMU 53Y?

You can check the full history of SMU 53Y by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SMU 53Y registered?

SMU 53Y is a 1983 Ford Escort, first registered on 15 July 1983.

Is SMU 53Y safe to buy?

The MOT history for SMU 53Y shows 9 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SMU 53Y 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 SMU 53Y. 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.