Used car guide

2001 Ford Escort: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Ford Escorts, from 319 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 319 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

319MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Ford Escorts than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.5× usual
    Ford Escort
    19.4% All 2001 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 4.1% of all 2001 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Ford Escort
    16.6% All 2001 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.7% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Body structure rust or damage2.3× usual
    Ford Escort
    9.7% All 2001 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

By area

The share of 2001 Ford Escort MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    38% 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
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    24% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    22% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    17% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Ford Escort?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2002237Suspension 41%
2000377Suspension 41%
1999185Suspension 39%
1998398Brakes 34%
1997494Brakes 32%
1996546Suspension 29%
1995422Brakes 24%
1994313Brakes 23%
1993357Suspension 13%
1992279Brakes 16%
1991252Lights and electrics 21%
1990913Lights and electrics 19%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Ford Escorts registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score