1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Ford Escort MOT pass rate and common faults

405 MOT tests in 2024. 65.4% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time65.4%
Failed or needed repairs34.6%
Typical mileage at test58,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 405 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength6.2%
  2. Service brake imbalance: across an axle3.7%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%
  4. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements3.2%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.2%
  6. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.2%
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.0%
  8. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits3.0%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.0%
  10. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes22.7%
  2. Lights & electrics18.5%
  3. Suspension18.0%
  4. Body & chassis18.0%
  5. Emissions & leaks15.6%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.4%
  7. Tyres4.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.9%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine7.7%
  5. Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced5.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Ford Escort?

In 2024, 65.4% of 1998 Ford Escort cars passed their MOT first time, across 405 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Ford Escort?

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

Is the 1998 Ford Escort reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).