Ford Escort

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 16 model years from 15,404 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

82%

Total Tests

15,404

Highest Pass Rate

1992 (88%)

Years Covered

About the Ford Escort

The Ford Escort was MOT tested 15,404 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 16 model years (1990 to 2019), with an average pass rate of 82%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol and diesel versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 88% from 733 tests. The 2001 model has the lowest at 71%. With a 17 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Older Ford Escorts tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 11 percentage points across model years.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 52,314 miles, while the newest (2019) averages 32,761 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1097cc)

£1,175

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,630

Per month£136/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2019 details

How reliable is the Ford Escort?

vs average of all models+0% (82% avg)

vs Ford brand average-3% (85% avg)

Best to worst year spread17 percentage points

Reliability trendDeclining over years

Ford Escort by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	100%	32	32,761 mi
2016	100%	33	49,005 mi
2015	91%	34	45,109 mi
2002	74%	525	107,053 mi
2001	71%	695	98,376 mi
2000	71%	801	83,996 mi
1999	71%	706	55,466 mi
1998	74%	1,292	59,153 mi
1997	72%	1,797	56,799 mi
1996	77%	1,820	56,809 mi
1995	81%	1,377	52,782 mi
1994	83%	1,008	57,612 mi
1993	83%	1,097	51,371 mi
1992	88%	733	50,276 mi
1991	85%	782	53,590 mi
1990	85%	2,672	52,314 mi

Questions about the Ford Escort

Is the Ford Escort reliable?

Across its 16 model years in our data (1990 to 2019), the Ford Escort averages an 82% MOT pass rate, from 15,404 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's level with the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1992 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 88%.

Which year Ford Escort has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 Ford Escort has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 71%, a 17 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.