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Ford Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) (1985-1994) reliability

Not enough data

Ford Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) built before 2000: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Ford Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) models built before 2000 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Ford Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Ford Granada Mk3 (Scorpio)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1985-1994SaloonPETROL

Based on 462 tests of Granada models registered 1985-1994.

Mk3 (Scorpio) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
46219.3%

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 25+ years old.

How the Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) compares

At each age below, see how the Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 31,207 tests across 14 Ford models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateFord average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
46219.3%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Leaks

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Suspension

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Granada Mk3 (Scorpio).

  1. 1

    Nissan Skyline

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.8%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 10.7%, against 19.3% for the Ford Granada Mk3 (Scorpio), both built before 2000.

    1,007 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Saab 9-3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.9%

    No clear edge over the Ford Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) 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

  3. 3

    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 Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) on these figures.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,892 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    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 Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) on these figures.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,939 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

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.

Recall context

3 recalls in all

All 3 Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Battery cable terminal may touch the starter motor solenoid
  • Possible chafing of battery cable
  • Owners handbook supplement regarding use of jack

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

What has gone wrong on Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,975 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
34%
Bodywork
33%
Emissions
24%
Steering
16%
Drivetrain
1%

Wear items

Brakes
39%
Lighting
30%
Tyres
23%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 38% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

Mk3 (Scorpio) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Ford Granadas of this age

This list covers every Ford Granada built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk3 (Scorpio) on its own.

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

    21.6%
    Advisory: 168Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    11.7%
    Advisory: 95Fail: 26 (21% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    10.8%
    Advisory: 91Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    7.9%
    Advisory: 49Fail: 5 (9% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.0%
    Advisory: 74Fail: 4 (5% of the times it was found)

Based on 668 tests

Looking at a Ford Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Ford Granada Mk3 (Scorpio) (1985-1994) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 462 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 462 MOT tests on Ford Granadas first registered between 1985-1994. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.