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FORD ESCORT Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,232 MOT tests from 249 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every FORD ESCORT has the same fault.

FORD ESCORT's have a very good reliability rating of 621/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FORD ESCORT that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the FORD ESCORT.

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Check the reliability of your Ford Escort

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Ford Escort side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2002420/999Average86,264 miles529 vehicles
Diesel2000450/999Average90,337 miles4,687 vehicles
Petrol2000491/999Average80,330 miles3,216 vehicles
Diesel1999514/999Above average85,570 miles2,119 vehicles
Petrol1998581/999Above average78,276 miles5,604 vehicles
Petrol1997612/999Good78,728 miles4,046 vehicles
Diesel1996546/999Above average84,559 miles1,821 vehicles
Petrol1996629/999Good79,757 miles2,424 vehicles
Diesel1995562/999Above average85,628 miles1,353 vehicles
Petrol1994655/999Good80,197 miles670 vehicles
Petrol1987721/999Very good81,779 miles747 vehicles
Petrol1986737/999Very good82,210 miles4,181 vehicles
Petrol1984745/999Very good81,643 miles4,028 vehicles
Petrol1981777/999Very good80,026 miles1,013 vehicles
Petrol1978878/999Excellent87,936 miles817 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD ESCORT?

Based on 2,232 MOT tests from 249 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

249

MOT tests

2,232

Pass rate

75.9%

Median mileage

56,657 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FORD ESCORT has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 609 out of 999.

Common FORD ESCORT MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 168 advisory comments and 29 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 61 advisory comments and 31 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE SLIGHTLY CORRODED (3.6.B.2C)

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 42 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN WASHER PROVIDES INSUFFICIENT WASHER LIQUID (8.2.3)

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 41 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 39 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (3.5.1I)

Emissions test issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 36 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an exhaust emissions result. They are counted separately from a warning lamp or a catalytic converter note.

What to inspect

Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE EXCESSIVE (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 20 advisory comments and 12 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: CENTRE EXHAUST HAS A MINOR LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES (7.1.2)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 22 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

FORD ESCORT MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2001512276.2%Corrosion, Exhaust
19981122164.7%Tyre wear, Exhaust
19971119575.4%Corrosion, Tyre wear
1996610875%Exhaust, Corrosion
1995913683.8%Exhaust, Corrosion
19941212078.3%Corrosion, Registration plate condition
19931214674%Tyre wear, Exhaust
1992810379.6%Tyre wear, Oil leak
19901718780.7%Corrosion, Oil leak
19891617677.8%Corrosion, Exhaust
1988117074.3%Corrosion, Headlamp faults
1987147870.5%Oil leak, Tyre wear
198684271.4%Corrosion, Tyre wear
1985115580%Corrosion, Brake disc wear
1984130—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
198362993.1%Corrosion
1980136581.5%Headlamp faults, Corrosion
19797887.5%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
197864566.7%Corrosion, Steering rack issues
197685100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
197462290.9%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
197358100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample

What to check when buying a used FORD ESCORT

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Emissions test issues. Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

  • Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a FORD ESCORT?

Common problems tell you what can affect FORD ESCORTs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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