Ford Escort (2001)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 695 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1597cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1597cc25 years old695 tests98k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1597cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,228

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

71% of MOT tests on Ford Escorts from 2001 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 23 years old. That's based on 695 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 98,376 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 models214th of 350(bottom half)

Rank among Ford models1004th of 1,136(bottom 12%)

vs average of all models-11%(82% avg)

vs 2001 models average-2%(73% avg)

vs Ford average-14%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

98,376

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2001 Ford Escort had 98,376 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1992 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 71%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

same

MINI

2003 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

+1%

Ford Focus

2003 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

-3%

Volkswagen Polo

2003 · 1400cc Petrol

£2,353/year

67%

-4%

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About the 2001 Ford Escort

The 2001 Ford Escort is a small family car. Our records list a 1597cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 695 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 98,376 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Escort owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 Ford Escort?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,228 (£186/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% 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 2001 Ford Escort

At 25 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 98k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2001 Ford Escort stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Ford Escort(2001)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75
MINI(2003)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
Ford Focus(2003)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£200
Volkswagen Polo(2003)	67%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353+£125

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2001 Ford Escort

Is the 2001 Ford Escort reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 2001 Ford Escorts ended in a pass, from 695 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2001 Ford Escort cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,228 a year (£186 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Ford Escort?

71% of 695 MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Escort ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 214th of 350 models first registered in 2001 (bottom half).

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% and the 2001 the lowest at 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2001 Ford Escort?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Escort is 98,376 miles, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.