Ford ESCORT - 1972
58.6 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1972 is 134.6 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford ESCORT, model year 1972.
Sample size: 159 cars, 237 tests and 139 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 159 cars
The 1972 Ford Escort exhibits a significantly lower overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with only 59 defects per 100 vehicles, compared to 135 for the average. Notably, the Escort shows remarkable performance in several categories, including brakes, steering, visibility, and wheels, all of which have defect rates much lower than the average. In terms of mileage, the model sees a steep increase in defects correlating with higher mileage, particularly in the 93,000 to 124,000 miles range. Overall, while tyre wear is a common issue across many vehicles, the Escort stands out with fewer defects in critical areas, suggesting a well-engineered design for its time.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 159 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 39.3% better
28.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 47.3 / 100 tests
- Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- 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. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
- Flexible brake hose: slightly damaged, chafed or twisted
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Steering
▲ 56.3% better
8.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 19.2 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- Steering linkage retaining or locking device missing or ineffective
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
Visibility
▲ 76.1% better
3.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.2 / 100 tests
- Obligatory mirror or device missing
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 50.6% better
19.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 39.3 / 100 tests
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Headlamp aim unable to be tested
- Headlamp reflector or lens: seriously defective or missing
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 56.5% better
38.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 89.1 / 100 tests
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
Body/Structure
▲ 56.7% better
9.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.5 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Exhaust fumes: entering cabin
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▲ 64.6% better
3.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 9.6 / 100 tests
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
- Audible warning:
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
Other
▲ 79.8% better
5.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.2 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 15
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 8
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 7
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 5
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 5
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 5
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 4
Serious faults (Top 10)
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
A suspension component: with an unsafe modification
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Headlamp aim unable to be tested
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
FAIL
Occurrences: 2