1996 Ford Escort Serenade MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Escort Serenade models manufactured in 1996, based on 35 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Escort Serenade cars tested in 1996. Want to see how cars built in 1996 hold up over time?
View 1996 Ford Escort Serenade vintage page → (28.6% current pass rate)1996 Ford Escort Serenade MOT Analysis
The 1996 Ford Escort Serenade has an MOT pass rate of 28.6% based on 35 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,358 miles on the odometer. With a 71.4% failure rate, the 1996 Escort Serenade is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1996 Ford Escort Serenade is Suspension, responsible for 154.3% 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. Brakes is the second most common issue at 122.9%. Tyres follows at 71.4%.
Top failures specific to 1996 models only. The overall Escort Serenade 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 | 154.3% | 54 |
| 2 | Brakes | 122.9% | 43 |
| 3 | Tyres | 71.4% | 25 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 68.6% | 24 |
| 5 | Body, Structure And General Items | 42.9% | 15 |
| 6 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 37.1% | 13 |
| 7 | Driver's View Of The Road | 31.4% | 11 |
| 8 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 17.1% | 6 |
| 9 | Towbars | 5.7% | 2 |
| 10 | Road Wheels | 2.9% | 1 |
| 11 | Steering | 2.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 51,358 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 | 30.04 | 154.3% | 54 |
| Brakes | 23.92 | 122.9% | 43 |
| Tyres | 13.91 | 71.4% | 25 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 13.35 | 68.6% | 24 |
| Body & Structure | 8.34 | 42.9% | 15 |
| Seat Belts | 7.23 | 37.1% | 13 |
| Visibility | 6.12 | 31.4% | 11 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 3.34 | 17.1% | 6 |
| Towbars | 1.11 | 5.7% | 2 |
| Wheels | 0.56 | 2.9% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.56 | 2.9% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1996 Ford Escort Serenade has an MOT pass rate of 28.6% based on 35 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,358 miles on the odometer. With a 71.4% failure rate, the 1996 Escort Serenade is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1996 Ford Escort Serenade, 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 51,358 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 154.3% of failures
Suspension issues account for 154.3% of MOT failures on 1996 Ford Escort Serenade 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.
Brakes — 122.9% of failures
Brakes issues account for 122.9% of MOT failures on 1996 Ford Escort Serenade 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).
Tyres — 71.4% of failures
Tyres issues account for 71.4% of MOT failures on 1996 Ford Escort Serenade 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.