Ford Ecosport MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 98,104 MOT tests on the Ford Ecosport carried out in 2023. 19% failed at the first attempt, which is well below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 Ecosports passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2014 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2018 models did best (85% passed, +1.0 points against the average for 5-year-old cars), while 2014 models fared worst (66%, −5.8 points). Tested cars had covered 33,922 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 9.4% of tests (slightly below the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 5.1% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 98,104
- First-time pass rate
- 81%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +9.4 points
- Average mileage at test
- 33,922
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Ecosport?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Ecosport MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 172 | 88% | 91% | −3.1 points | 17,779 |
| 2020 | 9,450 | 87% | 88% | −1.1 points | 18,113 |
| 2019 | 24,932 | 87% | 86% | +0.9 points | 22,586 |
| 2018 | 22,547 | 85% | 84% | +1.0 points | 29,292 |
| 2017 | 13,460 | 76% | 82% | −5.6 points | 39,410 |
| 2016 | 14,380 | 74% | 79% | −4.4 points | 46,643 |
| 2015 | 10,546 | 70% | 75% | −5.6 points | 54,128 |
| 2014 | 2,597 | 66% | 72% | −5.8 points | 61,754 |
Why the Ford Ecosport fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Ecosport | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.4% | 11.3% |
| Tyres | 4.7% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 3.0% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.6% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 1.3% | 3.5% |
| Suspension | 0.9% | 8.9% |
| Steering | 0.7% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.3% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.1% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working5.1%
- 2not working on dipped beam1.9%
- 3tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- 4efficiency below requirements1.4%
- 5does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
- 6has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- 7provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
- 8less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
- 9too high0.8%
- 10has a major leak of exhaust gases0.8%
Common Ecosport MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Ecosport, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 11.3% |
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 11.2% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 6.2% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 5.8% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 3.8% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.5% |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 2.1% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 1.7% |
| has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body and structure | 1.6% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 1.5% |
Tips to help your Ecosport pass
Based on where Ecosports most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 9.4% of Ecosport tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 4.1% of Ecosport tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Visibility · 3.0% of Ecosport tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Ecosport ULEZ compliant? See the Ford Ecosport ULEZ check, or view all Ford models.
Other Ford models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 98,104 first MOT tests of the Ford Ecosport carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 98,104 first MOT tests of the Ford Ecosport.
What is the Ford Ecosport MOT failure rate?
In our data, 19% of 98,104 first MOT attempts on the Ford Ecosport ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Ford Ecosport fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (9.4% of tests), tyres (4.7% of tests), brakes (4.1% of tests).
Which Ecosport year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2018 cars performed best: 85% passed first time, +1.0 points against the average for 5-year-old cars. The weakest was 2014, at 66% (−5.8 points).
How many miles had a typical Ford Ecosport covered at its MOT?
The average was 33,922 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 17,779 miles and 2014 cars 61,754.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Ford Ecosport?
"has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure" was recorded on 11.3% of tests, in the tyres area. 4.7% of Ecosports failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Ecosport's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 98,104 Ecosports in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 66% to 88% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
Check any Ecosport's MOT history
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