How much does a 2002 FORD ESCORT cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,857 (£155/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 FORD ESCORT?

The 2002 FORD ESCORT has a 74% MOT pass rate based on 525 tests in 2026. This ranks 185 out of 403 cars from 2002.

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 (2002)

Q: Is the 2002 FORD ESCORT reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of FORD ESCORTs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 525 tests. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2002 FORD ESCORT?

The average mileage for a 2002 FORD ESCORT is 107,053 miles, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 525 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1753cc Diesel

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £1857/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Diesel1753cc24 years old525 tests107k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1753cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1753cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,857

Per month£155/mo

Per week£36/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 24 years old, 74% of FORD ESCORTs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 525 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 107,053 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars185th of 403(top 46%)

Rank among FORD models947th of 1,167(top 81%)

vs national average-8%(82% avg)

vs 2002 cars average+1%(73% avg)

vs FORD average-11%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

107,053

Average miles

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 FORD ESCORT has 107,053 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-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?

The most reliable year is the 1992 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2002 sits between the two at 74%.

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

2004 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,490/year

71%

-3%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2003 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

73%

-1%

HONDA CIVIC

2004 · 1686cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

-2%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2004 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,595/year

71%

-3%

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About the 2002 FORD ESCORT

The 2002 FORD ESCORT is a family car with a 1753cc diesel engine. 525 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2002, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 107,053 miles at 24 years old, FORD ESCORT owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 FORD ESCORT Fuel Costs

The 1753cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2002 FORD ESCORT?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,857 (£155/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% 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 2002 FORD ESCORT

At 24 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 2002 FORD ESCORT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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

Watch out

With an average of 107k 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 2002 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(2002)	74%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1857
FORD FIESTA(2004)	71%	£905	£30	Grp 8-20	£1490-£367
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2003)	73%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£130
HONDA CIVIC(2004)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£130
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2004)	71%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1595-£262

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.