Ford Ecosport: what fails at MOT
148,000 MOT tests on the Ford Ecosport in 2024, counted. 20.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
20.7% of Ford Ecosport tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 16.7%, so the Ecosport does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.3% of tests), tyres (3.6% of tests) and brakes (3.2% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,058 | 14.9% | 10.9% | 17,100 11,000 to 25,000 |
| 2020 | 13,422 | 13.0% | 11.5% | 22,300 15,400 to 30,800 |
| 2019 | 36,850 | 15.1% | 13.4% | 26,800 18,200 to 36,600 |
| 2018 | 33,554 | 16.9% | 15.6% | 33,600 24,200 to 44,800 |
| 2017 | 18,481 | 26.4% | 18.2% | 44,100 32,600 to 57,200 |
| 2016 | 19,749 | 28.7% | 21.3% | 51,300 38,300 to 65,800 |
| 2015 | 14,673 | 32.9% | 24.4% | 58,700 44,900 to 73,800 |
| 2014 | 3,650 | 32.7% | 27.7% | 66,800 50,700 to 83,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Ford Ecosport tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Ecosport | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.3% | 3.2% | More than most |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 3.6% | |
| Brakes | 3.2% | 2.3% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.2% | 2.1% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.5% | 0.9% | |
| Body and structure | 1.1% | 0.6% | |
| Suspension | 1.0% | 2.1% | Less than most |
| Steering | 0.8% | 0.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake light3.6%
- Tyre2.3%
- Headlamp1.9%
- Headlamp aim1.5%
- Brake test1.3%
- Washers1.3%
- Tyre tread1.1%
- Wipers0.9%
- Brake pads0.8%
- Exhaust emissions0.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake light: not working3.5%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.7%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.7%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing9.7%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.3%
- Coil spring: corroded5.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.8%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.6%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases1.5%
- Nail in tyre1.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Ford Ecosport's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.