1990 Ford Escort Lx MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Escort Lx models manufactured in 1990, based on 36 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Escort Lx cars tested in 1990. Want to see how cars built in 1990 hold up over time?
View 1990 Ford Escort Lx vintage page → (34.3% current pass rate)1990 Ford Escort Lx MOT Analysis
The 1990 Ford Escort Lx has an MOT pass rate of 36.1% based on 36 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 55,104 miles on the odometer. With a 63.9% failure rate, the 1990 Escort Lx is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1990 Ford Escort Lx is Suspension, responsible for 116.7% 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. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment is the second most common issue at 97.2%. Brakes follows at 38.9%.
Top failures specific to 1990 models only. The overall Escort Lx 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 | 116.7% | 42 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 97.2% | 35 |
| 3 | Brakes | 38.9% | 14 |
| 4 | Tyres | 33.3% | 12 |
| 5 | Driver's View Of The Road | 30.6% | 11 |
| 6 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 22.2% | 8 |
| 7 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 22.2% | 8 |
| 8 | Body, Structure And General Items | 13.9% | 5 |
| 9 | Registration Plates And Vin | 2.8% | 1 |
| 10 | Road Wheels | 2.8% | 1 |
| 11 | Items Not Tested | 2.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 55,104 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.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 21.17 | 116.7% | 42 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 17.64 | 97.2% | 35 |
| Brakes | 7.06 | 38.9% | 14 |
| Tyres | 6.05 | 33.3% | 12 |
| Visibility | 5.55 | 30.6% | 11 |
| Seat Belts | 4.03 | 22.2% | 8 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 4.03 | 22.2% | 8 |
| Body & Structure | 2.52 | 13.9% | 5 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.50 | 2.8% | 1 |
| Wheels | 0.50 | 2.8% | 1 |
| Items Not Tested | 0.50 | 2.8% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1990 Ford Escort Lx has an MOT pass rate of 36.1% based on 36 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 55,104 miles on the odometer. With a 63.9% failure rate, the 1990 Escort Lx is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1990 Ford Escort Lx, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. 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 55,104 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 116.7% of failures
Suspension issues account for 116.7% of MOT failures on 1990 Ford Escort Lx 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.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 97.2% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 97.2% of MOT failures on 1990 Ford Escort Lx models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Brakes — 38.9% of failures
Brakes issues account for 38.9% of MOT failures on 1990 Ford Escort Lx models. 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).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.