Ford ESCORT - 1974
30.3 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1974 is 115.5 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford ESCORT, model year 1974.
Sample size: 154 cars, 221 tests and 67 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: 154 cars
The 1974 Ford Escort demonstrates a significantly lower overall defect rate, with only 30 defects per 100 vehicles compared to the average of 116 defects for cars of the same year, representing a 74% better performance. Notably, it excels in multiple categories, particularly in brakes, steering, and wheels, where it shows improvements of 60%, 84%, and 93% respectively compared to the average. Mileage data indicates that defects increase with mileage, especially in the higher mileage segments, but the Ford Escort consistently performs better across all mileage brackets. There are no standout areas of concern, making it a reliable choice compared to its contemporaries.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 154 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 60.0% better
18.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 45.2 / 100 tests
- 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
- A brake on any wheel grabbing severely
- Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
- 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
Steering
▲ 84.6% better
2.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.5 / 100 tests
- A steering linkage component with: excessive movement between components or likely to become detached
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 78.4% better
3.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.7 / 100 tests
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: defective
- An obstruction: within the driver’s field of view that materially affects his view in front or to the sides outside the swept area of windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 69.4% better
9.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.4 / 100 tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has only one lamp or all lamps not working
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- 4.3.1 (a) (iii)
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 92.6% better
4.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 60.9 / 100 tests
- A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
Body/Structure
▲ 50.2% better
10.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.9 / 100 tests
- A driver’s seat: fore and aft adjustment mechanism not working as intended
- Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 91.7% better
0.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 10.9 / 100 tests
- Audible warning:
Other
▲ 61.8% better
10.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.5 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 9
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 9
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
PRS
Occurrences: 5
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
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: 2
Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2
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
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Serious faults (Top 10)
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
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: 2
Insufficient reserve travel
FAIL
Occurrences: 1
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 1
Brake pipe: likely to become detached or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 1
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 line.
FAIL
Occurrences: 1
4.3.1 (a) (iii)
FAIL
Occurrences: 1
A steering linkage component with: excessive movement between components or likely to become detached
FAIL
Occurrences: 1