Ford
Escort
26,280 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where Escorts pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 1.9 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
79.4%
Pass-after-fix
3.5%
Fail
16.0%
Avg miles
55,416
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Ford Escort: mixed MOT record across 12,782 tests
Ford Escort may refer to one of several vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company:Ford Escort, a compact car manufactured for the North American market from 1980 to 2003 Ford Escort (Europe), a vehicle manufactured by Ford Europe from 1968 to 2002 Ford Escort RS Cosworth, sports and rally version of the fifth generation European Escort Ford Escor.
MOT data from 12,782 tests puts this car on a 77.5% first-time pass rate, roughly in line with the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 57,723 miles. The most common fail item is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mountingis significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, followed by transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated.
Buyers weighing up a used Escort should treat the failure breakdown as a pre-purchase checklist. The pass rate is reasonable, but the gap between first attempt and a clean sheet narrows with age and mileage.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 8–18
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
8–18
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
1,066 occurrences · 4.1% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
972 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
467 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 04
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
453 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 05
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
440 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 06
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
429 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 07
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
409 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 08
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
315 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 09
Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point
314 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 10
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
285 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Recall history
12 UK recalls on record.
The Escort has 12 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping an Escort?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own an Escort and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.