What are the most common problems with a 1998 Ford Escort petrol?

The biggest MOT weak spot is exhaust emissions (catalyst): flagged on 9.8% of tests, 2.2× the rate for all 1998 cars, followed by drive shaft (cv) joints (10.3%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 1998 Ford Escort petrol?

Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1998 Ford Escort petrol as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 1998 Ford Escort petrol as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the brakes pulling to one side? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1998 Ford Escort petrol as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

1998 Ford Escort petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Ford Escort first registered in 1998 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 1,127 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,127MOTs of 1998 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025

61%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 65%)

2,200typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Ford Escort petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Ford Escort petrol than on all cars registered in 1998.

Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.2× usual

Ford Escort
9.8% All 1998 cars
4.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 4.5% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.
Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual

Ford Escort
10.3% All 1998 cars
5.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.2% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Brakes pulling to one side2.2× usual

Ford Escort
5.4% All 1998 cars
2.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Rust in key structural areas2× usual

Ford Escort
5.1% All 1998 cars
2.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.8% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Better than most

Headlights: 1.8% here, against 4.7% of all 1998 cars.

Common 1998 Ford Escort petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Ford Escort petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Brakes

35% 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.
Suspension

30% 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

25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

21% 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.
Rust and bodywork

19% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Exhaust and emissions

17% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Ford Escort petrol

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

Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1998 Ford Escort petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 1998 Ford Escort petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the brakes pulling to one side? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1998 Ford Escort petrol as on other cars the same age.)
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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2002	887	Suspension 42%
2001	1,169	Brakes 42%
2000	1,363	Suspension 40%
1999	642	Suspension 41%
1997	1,640	Brakes 37%
1996	1,744	Brakes 31%
1995	1,312	Brakes 25%
1994	1,008	Brakes 22%
1993	1,041	Brakes 15%
1992	807	Brakes 15%
1991	773	Brakes 19%
1990	2,698	Lights and electrics 20%
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 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score