Family hatchback · 1996–2021 cars
Ford Escort reliability
The Ford Escort fails 38.9% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 9,297 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Ford Escort before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 38.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 9,297
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Ford Escort ages
Each point is the share of Ford Escorts of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Ford Escort | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 40.8% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 42% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 40.3% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 41.5% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 40.5% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 37.6% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Ford Escort years
2002 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Escort | 1,207 | 39.5% | 7% fewer fails | 104,759 |
| 2001 Escort | 1,544 | 41.3% | 0% more fails | 99,541 |
| 2000 Escort | 1,844 | 42.5% | 13% more fails | 80,400 |
| 1999 Escort | 1,120 | 41.4% | 32% more fails | 56,077 |
| 1998 Escort | 1,840 | 37.4% | 21% more fails | 59,023 |
| 1997 Escort | 1,008 | 40% | 30% more fails | 58,895 |
| 1996 | 348 | 36.2% | 20% more fails | 54,078 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Ford Escort
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 97% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17.2%45% above avg
- Lights and electrics14.3%8% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure14.1%79% above avg
- Brakes13.6%25% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.9%3% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.5%3% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags5.5%97% above avg
- Tyres5.2%13% above avg
- Steering2.2%23% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 7.59% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.54% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Seat belt anchor area weakened 3.9% of tests
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.18% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Service brakes uneven across an axle 2.96% of tests
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
- 6
Position lamp not working 2.26% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 7
Service brake excessively binding 2.17% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 8
Chassis corroded, rigidity significantly reduced 2.13% of tests
Serious corrosion weakens the chassis, affecting crash safety and handling, so specialist assessment is needed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Escort's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy15.13%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.11%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive8.82%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.01%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.68%
- Suspension mounting area showing corrosion6.5%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Ford Escort
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Seat belt anchor area weakened
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol57.7%
- Diesel42.2%
- LPG0.2%
- Other0%
Most common colours
White, Red, Blue, Silver, Black
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Ford Escort compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Skoda Scala | 11.5% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Escort | 38.9% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover 45 | 43.9% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia ProCeed | 28.3% | 17% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Veloster | 36.2% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG GS | 21.3% | 31% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Lacetti | 52.3% | 39% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Ford models.
Questions
Ford Escort questions, answered
Is the Ford Escort reliable?
On MOT results, the Ford Escort is below average: it fails 38.9% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 42 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Ford Escort MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Ford Escort are suspension mounting area seriously corroded (7.59% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.54% of tests), seat belt anchor area weakened (3.9% of tests). By area, suspension fails 17.2% of its tests.
Which Ford Escort year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2002 cars do best (7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (32% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Ford Escort before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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