2014 Ford Ecosport petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Ford Ecosport petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Ford Ecosport petrol than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Coil springs4.8× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  26.9% All 2014 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 3% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Brake lights4.4× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  11.5% All 2014 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 2.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Exhaust system3.1× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  10% All 2014 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.9% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Steering swivel joints12.2× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  7.3% All 2014 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Ball joint dust cover4.3× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  7.3% All 2014 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.7% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2014 Ford Ecosport petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Ford Ecosport petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  33% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  23% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2014 Ford Ecosport petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Wet cambelt can wear out early

  Earlier cars (before Ford's 2019 switch to a chain)

  Earlier cars use a cambelt that runs in oil. It can weaken well before Ford's suggested 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the engine can be badly damaged if it snaps. Ford changed to a timing chain in production in 2019.

  At the viewing: On pre-2019 cars, look for evidence the belt has been inspected or replaced, and make sure the service history is complete and fully stamped.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Ecosport (2014-2023) reliability

• Rear suspension bolt recall

  All engines

  A September 2015 recall covered 1,264 cars whose rear trailing arm bolts might not have been tightened properly. They could fail and cause a knocking from underneath. The fix was new nuts and bolts tightened to the correct torque.

  At the viewing: Confirm with a Ford dealer that the recall is done, and listen for knocks from the rear over bumps.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Ecosport (2014-2023) reliability

• Fuel leak recalls

  All engines

  Two recalls dealt with possible fuel leaks: an April 2015 recall (35 cars) for fuel and vapour lines lacking corrosion protection, and a May 2016 recall (1,023 cars) for poorly earthed fuel tubes that could develop pinholes.

  At the viewing: Ask a Ford dealer to confirm both recalls are done, and sniff for petrol or diesel smells around the car.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Ecosport (2014-2023) reliability

• Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

  1.0 petrol (EcoBoost and non-turbo)

  Ford’s 1.0 three-cylinder petrol uses a timing belt that runs in the engine oil on most cars. If oil changes are late or the wrong oil is used, the belt breaks down and sheds rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some later cars have a timing chain instead: a Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN. Ford’s change interval is 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the belt isn’t covered by warranty.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history with the right oil, and when the belt was changed. An oil-pressure warning light, a rattle or a rough idle are warning signs.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

• Electrical faults and warning lights

  All engines

  Owners report electrical faults, mainly warning lights coming on with no obvious cause.

  At the viewing: Make sure all dash lights go out after starting, and test the electrics.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Ecosport (2014-2023) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 Ford Ecosport petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the cambelt been checked or replaced, and can I see the invoice?
2. Has the rear suspension bolt recall been done by a Ford dealer?
3. Have both fuel line recalls been done, and is there any fuel smell?
4. Has the timing belt been changed, and is there a full service history with the right oil?
5. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 2014 Ford Ecosport petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2014 Ford Ecosport petrol as on other cars the same age.)