Does the Ford Escort fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?
The Ford Escort records 8.90 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 11.53 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.63, 95% interval −2.87 to −2.39). It ranks 584 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 Escort by registration
What exactly fails on visibility?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Ford Escort is “Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen”, recorded 1,875 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 1,875 | 2.43 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 1,769 | 2.29 |
| Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 1,761 | 2.28 |
| Wiper blade defective | 684 | 0.88 |
| Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose | 333 | 0.43 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 77,294 (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 Escort 1998 · Ford Escort 1999 · Ford Escort 2000 · Ford Escort 2001 · Ford Escort 2002 · Ford Escort in the Netherlands · Ford Escort by postcode area · Ford Escort body, chassis and structure failures · Ford Escort brakes failures · Ford Escort vehicle identification failures · Ford Escort lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Ford Escort noise, emissions and leaks failures · Ford Escort road wheels failures · Ford Escort seat belts and airbags failures · Ford Escort steering failures · Ford Escort suspension failures · Ford Escort tyres failures