Used car guide · 1959–2026

Ford Escort common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Ford Escort, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 16,396 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1986 Ford Escort

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Ford Escort as a whole.

1,064on the UK register at the end of 2025
ProbablyMOT-exempt (40+ years old), unless substantially changed
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 1986 car
  • Rust and structure

    Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.

  • MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy

    Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.

  • Paperwork

    Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.

  • Originality

    Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.

  • Insurance

    Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819601959

What usually goes wrong with a Ford Escort?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Ford Escort in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Ford Escort MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000.

    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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997, 1998 and 2000.

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

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

  • Brakes pulling to one side

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997 and 1998.

    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 areas

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1997 and 1998.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

Diesel

  • Spring mounting prescribed areas

    up to 19× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001 and 2002.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

  • Load sensing valves

    up to 11× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001 and 2002.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

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

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001 and 2002.

    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.

  • Body structure rust or damage

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001 and 2002.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001 and 2002.

    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.

Ford Escort MOT pass rate by year

Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200263%58% +5887
200162%60% +21,169
200057%61% -41,363
199959%63% -4642
199862%65% -31,312
199761%65% -41,640
199668%66% +21,744
199575%67% +81,312
199476%67% +91,008
199381%68% +131,041
199283%69% +14807
199178%71% +7773
199080%72% +82,698

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Ford Escort

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

  1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Ford Escort as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rust in key structural areas? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Ford Escort as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Ford Escort as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score