MOT History from tests of petrol FORD ESCORTs year 1979

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

mot history

Pass percent:80.32%

(The average a petrol FORD ESCORT year 1979 passes without issue)

Based on:9,711 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	588
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	233
Registration plate lamp issues	203
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	166
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	123
Registration plate issues	105
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	98
Rear brake binding	92
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	90
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	83
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	81
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	75
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	75
Brake pipe excessively corroded	67
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	61
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	60
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	58
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	58
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	58
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	57
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	57
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	53
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	49
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	47
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	45
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	44
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	43
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	43
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	42
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	33
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	31
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	31
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	30
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	30
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	29
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	27
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	25
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	25
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	24
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	24
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	24
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	24
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	23
Rear brake application uneven	23
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	23
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	22
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	22
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	22
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	22
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	20
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	20
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	20
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	19
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	19
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	19
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	19
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	19
Windscreen washer not working	18
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	18
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	18
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	18
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	17
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	17
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	17
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	17
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	16
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	16
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	16
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	16
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	16
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	15
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	15
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	14
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	14
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	14
Offside Front Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	14
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	13
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	13
Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	13
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	13
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	13
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	13
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	13
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	12
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	12
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	12
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	11
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	11
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	11
Front brake application uneven	11
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	11
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	11
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	11
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	11
Offside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	11
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	11
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	10
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	10
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only \|3.1.2\|	10
Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	10
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	10
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Nearside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	10
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	10
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	10
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	10
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` \|8.3.1b\|	9
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	9
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	9
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	9
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	9
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	9
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	9
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	9
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	9
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	9
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	9
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	8
Offside Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	8
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	8
Nearside Front Coil spring not correctly located \|2.4.C.2\|	8
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Track rod end loose \|2.2.B.1d\|	8
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	8
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Steering rack damaged and unserviceable \|2.2.C.1d\|	7
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	7
Nearside Front Wheel nut\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	7
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	7
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	7
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	7
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	7
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	7
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	7
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	7
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	7
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	7
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	7
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Front Coil spring not correctly located \|2.4.C.2\|	6
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	6
Offside Rear Wheel nut\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	6
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	6
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar locating pin locking device missing \|2.4.G.3b\|	6
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	6
Offside Front Position lamp not working \|4.2.1 \|a\|\|	6
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm locating pin locking device missing \|2.4.G.3b\|	6
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	6
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Track rod end loose \|2.2.B.1d\|	6
Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	6
Offside Steering rack gaiter insecure \|2.2.D.2d\|	6
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.B.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	6

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.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

MOT History from tests of petrol FORD ESCORTs year 1979

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