At a Glance
The Ford Escort has 51 identified common problems across 6 generations, with the Mk6 (1995-2002) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 3.4M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Ford Escort common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Ford Escort generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Ford Escort Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Most common MOT failure: Brake performance below minimum
Mk2
Most common MOT failure: Brake performance below minimum
Mk3
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
Mk4
Top issue: Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)
Mk5
Top issue: Spring mounting corroded
Mk6
Top issue: Brake hydraulic component worn
Most Common Ford Escort MOT Failures
Every reason Ford Escort vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 9.44% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.23% |
| 3 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.94% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.44% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.53% |
| 6 | Suspension mounting corroded | 4.71% |
| 7 | Exhaust system fault | 4.27% |
| 8 | Tyre condition | 3.56% |
| 9 | Front lamp not working | 3.01% |
| 10 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.92% |
| 11 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.71% |
| 12 | Number plate lamp not working | 2.66% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.59% |
| 14 | Driveshaft fault | 2.51% |
| 15 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.45% |
| 16 | Chassis condition | 2.01% |
| 17 | Stop lamp not working | 2.00% |
| 18 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.93% |
| 19 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.77% |
| 20 | Fog lamp not working | 1.56% |
| 21 | Rear lamp not working | 1.55% |
| 22 | Rear suspension fault | 1.52% |
| 23 | Parking brake condition | 1.50% |
| 24 | Brake pads or linings worn | 1.30% |
| 25 | Indicator fault | 1.16% |
| 26 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.12% |
| 27 | Subframe mounting corroded | 1.11% |
| 28 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.03% |
| 29 | Track rod end worn | 0.98% |
| 30 | Steering rack fault | 0.86% |
| 31 | Horn not working | 0.67% |
| 32 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.63% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.57% |
| 34 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.55% |
| 35 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.41% |
| 36 | Front suspension fault | 0.39% |
| 37 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.32% |
| 38 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.31% |
| 39 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.27% |
| 40 | Position lamp not working | 0.26% |
| 41 | Brake fluid leak | 0.24% |
| 42 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.23% |
| 43 | Steering free play excessive | 0.22% |
| 44 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.20% |
| 45 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.18% |
| 46 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.18% |
| 47 | Brake pedal fault | 0.14% |
| 48 | Electrical switch fault | 0.14% |
| 49 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.13% |
| 50 | CV joint worn | 0.12% |
| 51 | ABS fault | 0.11% |
| 52 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.10% |
| 53 | Steering arm worn | 0.10% |
| 54 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.10% |
| 55 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.10% |
| 56 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.09% |
| 57 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Steering column fault | 0.08% |
| 59 | Steering operation fault | 0.07% |
| 60 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.07% |
| 61 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 62 | Brake caliper fault | 0.07% |
| 63 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 65 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 67 | Airbag warning light on | 0.06% |
| 68 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.05% |
| 69 | Headlamp fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.04% |
| 72 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.04% |
| 74 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 75 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 76 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.04% |
| 78 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 80 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 84 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.03% |
| 85 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.02% |
| 87 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering shaft fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 92 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.02% |
| 93 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 96 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 97 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 99 | Spare wheel fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Steering coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 101 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Steering drive system fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 105 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | <0.01% |
| 107 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 108 | Bumper damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 109 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Engine oil leak | <0.01% |
| 111 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 113 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 115 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 117 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 118 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 119 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | <0.01% |
| 123 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 124 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 125 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 127 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 135 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 140 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 148 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 155 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 159 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 160 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 161 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 166 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 170 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 171 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 172 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 175 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 176 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 180 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 181 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 182 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 184 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 186 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 187 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 189 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 191 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Ford Escort MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Ford Escort, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Escort problems?
Based on analysis of 3.4M Ford Escort MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 51 identified common problems across 6 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake hydraulic component worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Ford Escort generation has the most problems?
The Ford Escort Mk6 (1995-2002) (1995–2002) has the highest number of identified common problems (64). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Ford Escort?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Ford Escort owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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