Is the 2016 FORD ESCORT reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 100% of FORD ESCORTs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 33 tests. That's 18 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2016 FORD ESCORT cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 FORD ESCORT?

The 2016 FORD ESCORT has a 100% MOT pass rate based on 33 tests in 2026. This ranks 17 out of 586 cars from 2016.

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 (2016)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2016 FORD ESCORT?

The average mileage for a 2016 FORD ESCORT is 49,005 miles, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-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 33 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

100%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Petrol

Great Choice

100% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 18 points above average.

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Petrol2000cc10 years old33 tests49k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2000cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 2000cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,897

Per month£158/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

100% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 18 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 10 years old, 100% of FORD ESCORTs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 33 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 49,005 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars17th of 586(top 3%)

Rank among FORD models22th of 1,167(top 2%)

vs national average+18%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average+15%(85% avg)

vs FORD average+15%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

49,005

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 FORD ESCORT has 49,005 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-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 2016 sits between the two at 100%.

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 FOCUS

2014 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,677/year

80%

-20%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2014 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

78%

-22%

MERCEDES C

2014 · 1595cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

-15%

HYUNDAI I10

2017 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,732/year

88%

-12%

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About the 2016 FORD ESCORT

The 2016 FORD ESCORT is a family car with a 2000cc petrol engine. 33 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 3% of all 2016 cars for reliability.

With an average of 49,005 miles at 10 years old, FORD ESCORT owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 FORD ESCORT Fuel Costs

The 2000cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 FORD ESCORT?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 100% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2016 FORD ESCORT

At 10 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%. Note: with only 33 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 FORD ESCORT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 10 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 2016 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(2016)	100%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£1897
FORD FOCUS(2014)	80%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£220
NISSAN QASHQAI(2014)	78%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£70
MERCEDES C(2014)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£220
HYUNDAI I10(2017)	88%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1732-£165

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.