Used car guide

1995 Ford Probe: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Ford Probe first registered in 1995: we looked at the 311 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 311 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

311MOTs of 1995 cars, done in 2023–2025
63%pass first time (all 1995 cars: 67%)
3,200typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for flexible brake hoses

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1995 Ford Probe?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1995 Ford Probe than on all cars registered in 1995.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.4× usual
    Ford Probe
    12.2% All 1995 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 1% of all 1995 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 1995 Ford Probe MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1995 Ford Probe MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    44% 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
    35% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    28% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    22% 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.

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1995 Ford Probe

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

  1. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1995 Ford Probe as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Ford Probe?

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 Probe compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1998–Too few tests
1997244Brakes 44%
1996202Brakes 41%
1994123Brakes 46%

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 Probe cars first registered in 1995. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score