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MOT History from tests of petrol FORD CORTINAs year 1981

Review the list of common FORD CORTINA failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your FORD then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:69.29%
(The average a petrol FORD CORTINA year 1981 passes without issue)
Based on:2,367 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment131
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|108
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively90
Registration plate lamp issues79
Brakes imbalanced across an axle59
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|51
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|48
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|42
Rear brake binding38
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort34
Horn not working |1.6.2a|32
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|31
Brake pipe excessively corroded29
Brake hose excessively deteriorated24
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|23
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|23
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|23
Registration plate issues22
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|22
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|19
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|18
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|18
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|17
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|17
Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|16
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|16
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|15
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|15
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|15
Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|15
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|14
Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|14
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|14
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|14
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|14
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|13
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|13
Rear brake application uneven13
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|12
Windscreen washer not working 12
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|12
Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|12
Battery insecure |1.9.1|12
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|11
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|11
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|11
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|11
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|11
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|10
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|10
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|9
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|9
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))9
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement9
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|9
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|9
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|9
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|9
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|8
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|8
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|8
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|8
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|7
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|7
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|7
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|7
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|7
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|6
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|6
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|6
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|6
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|6
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|6
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|6
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|6
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|6
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|5
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|5
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|5
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Brake hose has insufficient room to move5
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|5
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|5
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Front brake application uneven5
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|5
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|5
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|5
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|4
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|4
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|4
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Offside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|4
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Front Tie bar/rod synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Front Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|4
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|4
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|4
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|4
Offside Front An item not tested |Manual|4
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|4
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Rear Upper Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|4
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|4
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released4
Nearside Front All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|3
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|3
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))3
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Front Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|3
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|3
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|3
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|3
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|3
Offside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|3
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front Body has a projection caused by damage |6.1.C.1|3
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|3
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))3
Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has a deteriorated rubber bush resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has a deteriorated rubber bush resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Front Upper Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Front Upper Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Front Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|3
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|3
Nearside Inner Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Offside Front brake caliper locking device insecure |3.5.1l|3
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))3
Centre Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|3
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3
Emissions not tested |7.0|3
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Oil leaking excessively from engine |8.4.1 |a| |i||3
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|3
Nearside Front An item not tested |Manual|3
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|3
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Front Lower Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|3
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||3
Offside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|3
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|3
Nearside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Rear Upper Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Front Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|3
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
rear parking |secondary| brakes imbalanced3
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Rear fog lamp switch faulty |1.3.1a|3
Offside Rear Upper Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|3

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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