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Ford ESCORT - 1978

33.9 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1978 is 101.6 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford ESCORT, model year 1978. Sample size: 167 cars, 274 tests and 93 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 167 cars

The 1978 Ford Escort has a significantly lower overall defect rate of 34 per 100 vehicles compared to the average of 102 per 100, marking it as 67% better than the yearly average. Notably, it excels in categories such as brakes, steering, and visibility, with defect rates substantially below their respective averages. Mileage trends show the model performing particularly well in the 0–31,000 miles and 93,000–124,000 miles brackets, while it remains competitive in the middle range as well. Overall, the Escort demonstrates strong reliability across various categories, standing out favourably against other cars of its era.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 167 cars

More model years for Ford ESCORT

1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Other models from Ford

Ford ALLIED Ford B-MAX Ford C-MAX Ford CAPRI Ford ECOSPORT Ford EDGE Ford ESCORT Ford FIESTA Ford FOCUS Ford FUSION Ford GALAXY Ford GRAND C-MAX Ford KA Ford KUGA Ford MONDEO Ford MUSTANG Ford MUSTANG MACH-E Ford PUMA Ford RANGER Ford S-MAX Ford SIERRA Ford TOURNEO CONNECT Ford TRANSIT

Categories

Brakes
▲ 46.0% better
16.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
Steering
▲ 74.6% better
2.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.4 / 100 tests
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 87.7% better
1.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 12.2 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 58.5% better
9.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.9 / 100 tests
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • 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 2 or more lamps or light sources
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 57.4% better
26.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.7 / 100 tests
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 83.3% better
2.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.4 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
Equipment
▲ 100.0% better
0.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 4.7 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 79.5% better
8.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 43.0 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 375 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 12
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 7
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 6
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 6
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 5
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 5
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 3

Serious faults (Top 10)

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Lamp: showing red light to the front, white light to the rear or has heavily reduced light intensity
FAIL
Occurrences: 1
Braking effort: inadequate at a wheel
FAIL
Occurrences: 1
Cable guide defective affecting operation
FAIL
Occurrences: 1
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: 1
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
FAIL
Occurrences: 1