2015 Ford Ecosport: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Ford Ecosport?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Ford Ecosport than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Coil springs5.6× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  24% All 2015 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 2.6% of all 2015 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.

• Brake lights4.7× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  9.4% All 2015 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 1.6% of all 2015 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.

• Steering swivel joints13.2× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  6.6% All 2015 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.1% of all 2015 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.

• Exhaust system3.3× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  7.5% All 2015 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.6% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Ball joint dust cover3.7× usual
  Ford Ecosport

  5.2% All 2015 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.5% of all 2015 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.

Common 2015 Ford Ecosport MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Ford Ecosport MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  37% 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
  23% 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
  21% 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
  8% 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.

Known faults on the 2015 Ford Ecosport

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

  1.0 petrol (EcoBoost and non-turbo)

  Ford’s 1.0 three-cylinder petrol uses a timing belt that runs in the engine oil on most cars. If oil changes are late or the wrong oil is used, the belt breaks down and sheds rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some later cars have a timing chain instead: a Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN. Ford’s change interval is 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the belt isn’t covered by warranty.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history with the right oil, and when the belt was changed. An oil-pressure warning light, a rattle or a rough idle are warning signs.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Ford Ecosport

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the timing belt been changed, and is there a full service history with the right oil?
2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 5.6× as often on the 2015 Ford Ecosport as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2015 Ford Ecosport as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 13.2× as often on the 2015 Ford Ecosport as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?