MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Ford Cortina fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?

The Ford Cortina records 4.86 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 10.57 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−5.71, 95% interval −6.54 to −4.87). It ranks 708 of 746 models on visibility (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on visibility · check a Ford Cortina by registration

What exactly fails on visibility?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Ford Cortina is “Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen”, recorded 145 times in 2019–2024.

Ford Cortina: most frequent visibility defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen1452.49
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen450.77
Wiper blade defective360.62

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 5,818 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Other pages for this model

Ford Cortina by postcode area · Ford Cortina body, chassis and structure failures · Ford Cortina brakes failures · Ford Cortina lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Ford Cortina noise, emissions and leaks failures · Ford Cortina seat belts and airbags failures · Ford Cortina steering failures · Ford Cortina suspension failures · Ford Cortina tyres failures