Petrol Ford Escort: MOT pass rate

83.4% of petrol Ford Escorts pass the MOT first time, measured across 8,924 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 52,239.

Petrol against the other Ford Escort versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Ford Escort specifically, petrol is the strongest at 83.4%, and this petrol version sits 1.9 points above the 81.5% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The petrol Ford Escort is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Ford Escort had covered 52,239 miles at test, against 89,007 for the diesel. That is around average, so condition and service history will tell you more than the odometer does.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Ford Escort page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Ford Escort

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 3.5% of tests (9.76x the national rate for this defect)
2. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.9% of tests (6.94x the national rate for this defect)
3. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 2.4% of tests (5.69x the national rate for this defect)
4. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 1.5% of tests (5.43x the national rate for this defect)
5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 4.6% of tests (4.91x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., 2.5% of tests (4.72x the national rate for this defect)
7. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
8. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1.3% of tests (1.25x the national rate for this defect)
9. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 1.4% of tests (1.16x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.9% of tests

From 9,010 DVSA-tracked petrol Ford Escort tests, 2024, split out from the Ford Escort's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 3% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Ford Escort

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 4.7% of tests (7.29x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 5.1% of tests (4.1x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 2.2% of tests (3.94x the national rate for this defect)
4. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 5.1% of tests (3.38x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 11.5% of tests (1.85x the national rate for this defect)
6. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 8.4% of tests (1.51x the national rate for this defect)
7. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 3.9% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 8% of tests, also fails
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 7% of tests
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 6.9% of tests

From 9,010 DVSA-tracked petrol Ford Escort tests, 2024.

Other Ford Escort fuel types

• Diesel Ford Escort - 66.8%

All Ford Escort MOT data · Every model