Used car guide

2014 Ford Ecosport: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Ford Ecosports, from 2,452 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,452MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
6,700typical miles a year
4.3×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Ford Ecosports than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Coil springs4.3× usual
    Ford Ecosport
    29.1% All 2014 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 3.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Steering swivel joints14.3× usual
    Ford Ecosport
    10% All 2014 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint dust cover5× usual
    Ford Ecosport
    10.9% All 2014 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.9% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake lights3.8× usual
    Ford Ecosport
    11% All 2014 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 2.2% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Track rod ends2.3× usual
    Ford Ecosport
    10.3% All 2014 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.3% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 1.6% here, against 5.2% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Ford Ecosport MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    26% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    9% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Ford Ecosport?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023622Tyres 27%
20228,798Tyres 24%
20214,586Tyres 28%
20208,859Tyres 31%
201924,691Tyres 31%
201822,486Tyres 31%
201713,156Tyres 29%
201614,041Suspension 37%
201510,269Suspension 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Ford Ecosports registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score