How much does a 1991 FORD ESCORT cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,807 (£151/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 FORD ESCORT?

The 1991 FORD ESCORT has a 85% MOT pass rate based on 782 tests in 2026. This ranks 54 out of 179 cars from 1991.

Which year FORD ESCORT is most reliable?

The 1992 FORD ESCORT has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%. The least reliable year is 2001 at 71%.

FORD ESCORT (1991)

Q: Is the 1991 FORD ESCORT reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 85% of FORD ESCORTs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 782 tests. That's 3 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1991 FORD ESCORT?

The average mileage for a 1991 FORD ESCORT is 53,590 miles, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 782 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,807

£151/month

MOT Pass Rate

85%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1597cc Petrol

Solid Option

85% pass rate, £1807/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific FORD ESCORT

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1597cc35 years old782 tests54k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1597cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1597cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,807

Per month£151/mo

Per week£35/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this FORD ESCORT

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

85% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 35 years old, 85% of FORD ESCORTs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 782 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 53,590 miles.

Got a FORD ESCORT you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars54th of 179(top 30%)

Rank among FORD models672th of 1,167(top 58%)

vs national average+3%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average+7%(78% avg)

vs FORD average+0%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

53,590

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 FORD ESCORT has 53,590 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific FORD ESCORT?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1992 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 71%. The 1991 sits between the two at 85%.

FORD ESCORT by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-5%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

-1%

ROVER MINI

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£1,722/year

74%

-11%

PEUGEOT 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

-5%

Check a Specific Ford Escort

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1991 FORD ESCORT

The 1991 FORD ESCORT is a small family car with a 1597cc petrol engine. 782 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1991, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 53,590 miles at 35 years old, FORD ESCORT owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 FORD ESCORT Fuel Costs

The 1597cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 FORD ESCORT?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,807 (£151/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD ESCORT 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.

Buying a Used 1991 FORD ESCORT

At 35 years old, the FORD ESCORT is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 FORD ESCORT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 FORD ESCORT stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD ESCORT(1991)	85%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1807
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£60
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£60
ROVER MINI(1993)	74%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£85
PEUGEOT 205(1990)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£235

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.