Ford Cortina L MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 58 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 32.8%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Ford Cortina L MOT Reliability Overview
The Ford Cortina L is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 58 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.2% and a failure rate of 32.8%, which is slightly above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Ford Cortina L earns a "Good" reliability rating. The average Ford Cortina L presents for MOT with approximately 27,692 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Ford Cortina L is Suspension, affecting 29.3% of all tests. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. The second most common issue is Brakes at 20.7%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions rounds out the top three at 19.0%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.9% | 22 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.3% | 17 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 25.9% | 15 |
| 4 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 20.7% | 12 |
| 5 | Driver's View Of The Road | 12.1% | 7 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.3% | 6 |
| 7 | Tyres | 8.6% | 5 |
| 8 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 3.4% | 2 |
| 9 | Body, Structure And General Items | 1.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 27,692 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 13.70 | 37.9% | 22 |
| Brakes | 10.58 | 29.3% | 17 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 9.34 | 25.9% | 15 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 7.47 | 20.7% | 12 |
| Visibility | 4.36 | 12.1% | 7 |
| Steering | 3.74 | 10.3% | 6 |
| Tyres | 3.11 | 8.6% | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 1.25 | 3.4% | 2 |
| Body & Structure | 0.62 | 1.7% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Ford Cortina L has 27,692 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Ford Cortina L has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 11.84% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Ford Cortina L MOT Data
The Ford Cortina L is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 58 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.2% and a failure rate of 32.8%, which is slightly above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Ford Cortina L owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on suspension and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Cortina L is likely to perform.
Suspension — 29.3% of failures
Suspension issues account for 29.3% of MOT failures on the Ford Cortina L. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Brakes — 20.7% of failures
Brakes issues account for 20.7% of MOT failures on the Ford Cortina L. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 19.0% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 19.0% of MOT failures on the Ford Cortina L. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Cortina L?
Based on 58 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Ford Cortina L has an overall pass rate of 67.2% (32.8% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Ford Cortina L?
The top 3 reasons a Ford Cortina L fails its MOT are: 1. Suspension (29.3%), 2. Brakes (20.7%), 3. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (19.0%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Ford Cortina L reliable?
With a 32.8% MOT failure rate, the Cortina L is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Ford Cortina L?
Based on failure data, focus on: Suspension (29.3%); Brakes (20.7%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (19.0%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.