Used car guide

1990 Ford Escort petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Ford Escort first registered in 1990 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 2,606 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,606MOTs of 1990 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
80%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 72%)
1,600typical miles a year
19%had suspension flagged

Common 1990 Ford Escort petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1990 Ford Escort petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    19% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    17% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    9% 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.

  • Tyres
    8% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1990 Ford Escort petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Ford Escort?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Ford Escort compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2002887Suspension 42%
20011,169Brakes 42%
20001,363Suspension 40%
1999642Suspension 41%
19981,312Brakes 34%
19971,640Brakes 37%
19961,744Brakes 31%
19951,312Brakes 25%
19941,008Brakes 22%
19931,041Brakes 15%
1992807Brakes 15%
1991773Brakes 19%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests
1976–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests
1974–Too few tests
1973–Too few tests
1972–Too few tests
1971–Too few tests
1970–Too few tests
1969–Too few tests
1968–Too few tests
1960–Too few tests
1959–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Ford Escort cars first registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score