1995 · 29 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1995 Ford Escort MOT pass rate and common faults

419 MOT tests in 2024. 73.5% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time73.5%
Failed or needed repairs26.5%
Typical mileage at test54,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 419 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Service brake imbalance: across an axle3.8%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.8%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.8%
  4. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.6%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.6%
  6. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced2.4%
  7. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced2.1%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.9%
  9. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits1.9%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes15.3%
  2. Lights & electrics13.4%
  3. Body & chassis12.9%
  4. Suspension12.4%
  5. Emissions & leaks10.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.4%
  7. Seat belts & airbags3.6%
  8. Tyres1.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.6%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm6.7%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.3%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases5.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: service brake imbalance: across an axle. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 1994 EscortAll Escort years1996 Escort →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1995 Ford Escort?

In 2024, 73.5% of 1995 Ford Escort cars passed their MOT first time, across 419 tests. The average for all 29-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1995 Ford Escort?

The most common failure reasons were service brake imbalance: across an axle; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1995 Ford Escort reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 110, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).