Ford ESCORT - 1973
49.1 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1973 is 134.3 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford ESCORT, model year 1973.
Sample size: 119 cars, 171 tests and 84 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: 119 cars
The 1973 Ford Escort has an overall defect rate of 49 per 100 vehicles, significantly lower than the average of 134 per 100, indicating that this model performs much better in terms of reliability, showing a 63% improvement compared to its peers. Defect rates are particularly low across various categories, such as brakes and steering, where it shows reductions of 52% and 66% respectively. The model also excels in areas like visibility and body structure, both of which have notably fewer defects than average. Mileage-related trends suggest that defect rates increase with higher mileages, but the Escort still outperforms the average in all mileage brackets. Overall, this model stands out as a remarkably reliable choice from its era.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 119 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 51.7% better
21.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 43.7 / 100 tests
- 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
- Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Parking brake inoperative on one side, or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line
- Anti-slip provision missing, loose or worn smooth
Steering
▲ 66.1% better
5.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.1 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Steering wheel rim or spokes: fractured or loose
- Excessive movement of centre of steering wheel up or down
Visibility
▲ 28.8% better
9.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.2 / 100 tests
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper not operating or missing
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
Lights & Electrics
▲ 14.8% better
32.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 38.4 / 100 tests
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- Headlamp aim unable to be tested
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- A battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has only one lamp or all lamps not working
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 87.5% better
11.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 93.7 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
- A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Body/Structure
▲ 68.5% better
8.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.0 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
Equipment
▲ 66.2% better
2.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 6.8 / 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
Other
▲ 76.3% better
7.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.5 / 100 tests
- Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
- 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)
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
MINOR
Occurrences: 4
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 4
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 4
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
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
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Headlamp aim unable to be tested
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has only one lamp or all lamps not working
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Serious faults (Top 10)
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
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
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Headlamp aim unable to be tested
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has only one lamp or all lamps not working
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
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
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Parking brake inoperative on one side, or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
FAIL
Occurrences: 2