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Ford EcoSport reliability by build year

Coverage 2014-20221 named generationsmall SUVSUVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Ford EcoSport built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Ford EcoSports built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Ford EcoSport by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Ford EcoSports built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford EcoSports built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

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 EcoSport's generation

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

EcoSport Mk1

Mk1 (2014-2022)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

18.4% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 20,951 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 EcoSport.

See every build year for the Ford EcoSport

By age

Ford EcoSport fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ford EcoSport 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
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,82510.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
6,72813.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
18,80015.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
28,75916.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
20,95118.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
18,33523.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
17,87125.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
9,34127.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,36527.3%

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 10 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Ford EcoSport stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Ford models

12th of 17

12th lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other SUVs

71st of 89

71st lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

18.4%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Ford EcoSports

These issues come from 7-year-old Ford EcoSports, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.1%
    Advisory: 5,410Fail: 380 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    14.5%
    Advisory: 4,201Fail: 274 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    8.4%
    Advisory: 1,775Fail: 214 (11% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    5.3%
    Advisory: 1,850Fail: 28 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Brake light not working

    4.0%
    Advisory: 466Fail: 479 (51% of the times it was found)

Based on 20,951 MOT tests on 7-year-old Ford EcoSports, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Ford EcoSports notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres29%
  2. Lighting + Tyres19%
  3. Suspension + Tyres18%
  4. Other + Tyres16%

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

Across 5,817 MOT tests on Ford EcoSport cars built around 2018 (7 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

91%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

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.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

10 recalls in all

8 of the 10 Ford EcoSport recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 8 recalls

Top concerns

  • Vehicle seatbelts may have a defective low g locking mechanism
  • Lower control arm weld may not meet sepcification
  • Fuel leak may occur

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.4%, against 18.4% for the Ford EcoSport, both built around 2018.

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

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 18.4% for the Ford EcoSport, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 18.4% for the Ford EcoSport, both built around 2018.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 18.4% for the Ford EcoSport, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
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 around 2018 (7 years old), the Ford EcoSport across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 12th lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 20,951 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Ford EcoSport ever sold: 130,975 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 20,951 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.