1998 Ford Escort Finesse MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Escort Finesse models manufactured in 1998, based on 173 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Escort Finesse cars tested in 1998. Want to see how cars built in 1998 hold up over time?
View 1998 Ford Escort Finesse vintage page → (28.3% current pass rate)1998 Ford Escort Finesse MOT Analysis
The 1998 Ford Escort Finesse has an MOT pass rate of 29.5% based on 173 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,349 miles on the odometer. With a 70.5% failure rate, the 1998 Escort Finesse is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1998 Ford Escort Finesse is Driver's View of the Road, responsible for 1.7% of failures. Driver's View of the Road 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 range from £100–400. Registration Plates and VIN is the second most common issue at 1.2%. Tyres follows at 1.2%.
Top failures specific to 1998 models only. The overall Escort Finesse 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 | Driver's View Of The Road | 1.7% | 3 |
| 2 | Registration Plates And Vin | 1.2% | 2 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.2% | 2 |
| 4 | Non-component Advisories | 0.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 51,349 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 0.34 | 1.7% | 3 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.23 | 1.2% | 2 |
| Tyres | 0.23 | 1.2% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.11 | 0.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1998 Ford Escort Finesse has an MOT pass rate of 29.5% based on 173 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,349 miles on the odometer. With a 70.5% failure rate, the 1998 Escort Finesse is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1998 Ford Escort Finesse, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to driver's view of the road: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights. At 51,349 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Driver's View of the Road — 1.7% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 1.7% of MOT failures on 1998 Ford Escort Finesse models. Driver's View of the Road 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.
Registration Plates and VIN — 1.2% of failures
Registration Plates and VIN issues account for 1.2% of MOT failures on 1998 Ford Escort Finesse models. Registration Plates and VIN 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.
Tyres — 1.2% of failures
Tyres issues account for 1.2% of MOT failures on 1998 Ford Escort Finesse models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.