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MOT History from tests of petrol FORD ESCORTs year 1981

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:70.12%
(The average a petrol FORD ESCORT year 1981 passes without issue)
Based on:3,092 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment195
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|105
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|88
Brake pipe excessively corroded82
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|80
Registration plate lamp issues80
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|77
Brake hose excessively deteriorated75
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|73
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively66
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort57
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|57
Brakes imbalanced across an axle53
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|40
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|35
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|33
Rear brake binding32
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|32
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|30
Horn not working |1.6.2a|27
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|27
Registration plate issues26
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|26
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|26
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|24
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|24
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|18
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|17
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|17
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|17
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|16
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|16
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|16
Rear brake application uneven16
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|16
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|15
Battery insecure |1.9.1|15
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|15
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|15
Front brake application uneven15
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|15
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|15
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|14
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|13
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|13
Brake hose has insufficient room to move13
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|12
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|12
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|12
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|12
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|12
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|12
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|11
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|11
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|11
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|11
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|11
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|11
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|11
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|11
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|11
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|10
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|10
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|10
Windscreen washer not working 10
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|10
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|10
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|10
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|10
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|10
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|9
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|9
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|9
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|9
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|9
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|9
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|9
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|8
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|8
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|8
Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|8
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|8
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|8
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|8
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))8
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|7
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|7
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|7
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|7
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|7
Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|7
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|7
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|7
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|7
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|6
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|6
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|6
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|6
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|6
Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|6
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|6
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|6
Brake hose damaged6
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|6
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|6
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement6
Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|6
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|5
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|5
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|5
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|5
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|5
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))5
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|5
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|5
Offside Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|5
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|5
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|5
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|5
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|5
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|5
Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|5
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|5
Emissions not tested |7.0|5
Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure |2.2.D.2d|5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|5
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|5
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|4
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|4
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|4
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|4
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|4
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Offside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|4
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement4
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|4
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|4
Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|4
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|4
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|4
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Nearside Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|4
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|4
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|4
Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|4
Nearside Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|4
Windscreen wiper blade insecure4
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|4
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|4
Windscreen has damage4
Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|4
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|4
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|4
Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released4
Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|4
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|4
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|3
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||3
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken |3.1.5|3
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|3
Offside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|3
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Offside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|3
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|3
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|3
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|3
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))3
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))3
Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|3
Offside Front Brake hose twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|3
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|3
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|3
Nearside Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.3|3
Offside Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.3|3
Offside Front Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|3
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|3
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|3
Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted |7.3.B.1|3
Nearside Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |3.6.C.3|3
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|3
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|3
Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|3
Offside Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|3
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|3
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking |3.6.A.1|3
Offside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|3
Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))3
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|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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