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Ford Cortina reliability by build year

Coverage 1970-19823 named generationsSaloonPETROL

We've only got 679 MOT tests for Ford Cortinas built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Ford Cortina built before 2000: fails its MOT less often than average

Ford Cortinas built before 2000 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Ford Cortina by number plate

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Ford Cortinas built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford Cortinas built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Ford Cortina's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Underbody / chassis corrosion

High priority

Get the car on a ramp or jack point and inspect sills, subframe mounts, and rear suspension mounting points.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Cortina's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Cortina Mk3

Mk3 (1970-1975)

Excellent
PETROL

10.0% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 8.0% and 12.5%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 679 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Ford Cortina.

See every build year for the Ford Cortina

By age

Ford Cortina fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ford Cortina ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
67910.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Ford Cortinas

These issues come from 25+ year old Ford Cortinas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    5.5%
    Advisory: 40Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    5.0%
    Advisory: 49Fail: 7 (13% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    3.0%
    Advisory: 17Fail: 5 (23% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake binding slightly

    2.5%
    Advisory: 8Fail: 13 (62% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    2.4%
    Advisory: 23Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 679 MOT tests on 25+ year old Ford Cortinas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Ford Cortinas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Other26%
  2. Brakes + Emissions & exhaust19%
  3. Lighting + Other18%
  4. Brakes + Suspension18%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 105 MOT tests on Ford Cortina cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Ford Cortina.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Ford Cortina name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Saab 9-3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.9%

    No clear edge over the Ford Cortina on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,327 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    No clear edge over the Ford Cortina on these figures.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,892 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    No clear edge over the Ford Cortina on these figures.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,939 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    No clear edge over the Ford Cortina on these figures.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,238 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Ford Cortina across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 679 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Ford Cortina ever sold: 679 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 679 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.