1998 Ford Escort L MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Escort L models manufactured in 1998, based on 113 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Escort L cars tested in 1998. Want to see how cars built in 1998 hold up over time?
View 1998 Ford Escort L vintage page → (23.6% current pass rate)1998 Ford Escort L MOT Analysis
The 1998 Ford Escort L has an MOT pass rate of 24.8% based on 113 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 62,578 miles on the odometer. With a 75.2% failure rate, the 1998 Escort L is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1998 Ford Escort L is Tyres, responsible for 3.5% of failures. 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 range from £50–200 per tyre. Body, Structure and General Items is the second most common issue at 3.5%. Suspension follows at 2.7%.
Top failures specific to 1998 models only. The overall Escort L 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 | Tyres | 3.5% | 4 |
| 2 | Body, Structure And General Items | 3.5% | 4 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.7% | 3 |
| 4 | Driver's View Of The Road | 0.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 62,578 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 0.57 | 3.5% | 4 |
| Body & Structure | 0.57 | 3.5% | 4 |
| Suspension | 0.42 | 2.7% | 3 |
| Visibility | 0.14 | 0.9% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1998 Ford Escort L has an MOT pass rate of 24.8% based on 113 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 62,578 miles on the odometer. With a 75.2% failure rate, the 1998 Escort L is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1998 Ford Escort L, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to tyres: 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. At 62,578 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Tyres — 3.5% of failures
Tyres issues account for 3.5% of MOT failures on 1998 Ford Escort L 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.
Body, Structure and General Items — 3.5% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 3.5% of MOT failures on 1998 Ford Escort L models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Suspension — 2.7% of failures
Suspension issues account for 2.7% of MOT failures on 1998 Ford Escort L 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.