Ford ESCORT - 1988
173.6 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1988 is 253.5 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford ESCORT, model year 1988.
Sample size: 674 cars, 1,226 tests and 2,128 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: 674 cars
The 1988 Ford Escort has an overall defect rate of 174 defects per 100 vehicles, which is significantly better than the yearly average of 249 defects per 100 vehicles, reflecting a 30% lower defect rate. In terms of mileage, the model shows increased defects in the 31,000–62,000 miles and 93,000–124,000 miles segments, where it aligns closely with or slightly exceeds the average. Notably, the Escort excels in categories such as Brakes, Steering, and Visibility, with defect rates considerably lower than average, indicating a strong performance in these aspects. However, it also shows a higher incidence of issues related to Wheels, Suspensions & Axles compared to the average, highlighting an area of concern. Overall, the Ford Escort's defect profile showcases several strengths while revealing some specific weaknesses.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 674 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 32.5% better
64.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 95.2 / 100 tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- 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
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- 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
▲ 47.5% better
14.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.0 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
- 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
▲ 52.8% better
10.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.4 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: defective
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 28.8% better
45.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.3 / 100 tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 21.5% better
126.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 161.2 / 100 tests
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- 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
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Body/Structure
▲ 35.3% better
41.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.0 / 100 tests
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▲ 72.4% better
5.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 18.5 / 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
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
- Seat belt anchorage loose
Other
▲ 27.8% better
39.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 54.3 / 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 emits excessive dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions test unable to be completed
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: 158
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 122
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 117
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 103
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 85
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 84
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 72
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 67
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 58
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 48
Serious faults (Top 10)
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 45
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 38
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: 26
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 23
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
Service brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
FAIL
Occurrences: 14