1971 Ford Cortina MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Cortina models manufactured in 1971, based on 2,454 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Cortina cars tested in 1971. Want to see how cars built in 1971 hold up over time?
View 1971 Ford Cortina vintage page → (82.8% current pass rate)1971 Ford Cortina MOT Analysis
The 1971 Ford Cortina has an MOT pass rate of 72.9% based on 2,454 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 53,881 miles on the odometer. With a 27.1% failure rate, the 1971 Cortina is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1971 Ford Cortina is Suspension, responsible for 0.2% of failures. 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 range from £200–500. Noise, emissions and leaks is the second most common issue at 0.0%. Non-component advisories follows at 0.0%.
Top failures specific to 1971 models only. The overall Cortina page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 0.2% | 5 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 53,881 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 | 0.04 | 0.2% | 5 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.01 | 0.0% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.01 | 0.0% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1971 Ford Cortina has an MOT pass rate of 72.9% based on 2,454 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 53,881 miles on the odometer. With a 27.1% failure rate, the 1971 Cortina is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1971 Ford Cortina, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: 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. At 53,881 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 0.2% of failures
Suspension issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1971 Ford Cortina models. 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.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 0.0% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 0.0% of MOT failures on 1971 Ford Cortina models. 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.
Non-component advisories — 0.0% of failures
Non-component advisories issues account for 0.0% of MOT failures on 1971 Ford Cortina models. Non-component advisories issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.