1989 FORD ESCORT1.6L PETROL

The most recent MOT test took place on 31 May 2013 at 20,670 miles, meaning the vehicle has not been tested for over thirteen years. That test passed, but the tester flagged inner-edge tyre wear and an oil leak, both of which indicate deferred maintenance rather than a clean bill of health. The record shows no meaningful improvement trend. The 2011 failure involved multiple lighting defects, missing steering retaining devices, and split constant velocity joint gaiters, suggesting a period of neglect before those items were rectified for the subsequent pass. Without any test since 2013, the current mechanical condition is entirely unverified. The mileage progression is unusual. Between September 2009 at 7,968 miles and July 2011 at 17,905 miles, the car covered roughly 9,937 miles in under two years, a sharp acceleration from the minimal use seen between 2008 and 2009 when only 258 miles were added. From July 2011 to May 2013, the odometer moved just 2,765 miles over nearly two years, then the mileage froze at 20,670 with no further recorded tests. This pattern points to a vehicle that saw brief, heavier use followed by prolonged storage or very light local running. Long-term standing raises its own concerns: perished rubber hoses, dried seals, moisture ingress in brake and fuel systems, and corrosion in structural areas that MOT testing would not have caught after 2013. A buyer inspecting this Escort should pay close attention to the inner edges of all tyres, as the 2011 and 2013 advisories both flagged uneven wear, which typically points to worn suspension bushes, deteriorated track rod ends, or incorrect wheel alignment. The split CV gaiter from 2011 was reportedly repaired, but the joint itself should be checked for play and the surrounding area inspected for grease contamination. The oil leak noted in 2013 warrants a thorough underside inspection, particularly around the cam cover gasket, sump, and rear main seal, all common leak points on aging Ford CVH engines. Brake components deserve equal scrutiny; binding calipers and corroded discs or drums are likely after years of minimal use, and the steering retaining devices that were missing in 2011 should be physically confirmed as present and secure. Structural corrosion around sills, subframes, and floor pans is the most serious risk on a vehicle of this age that has sat idle for over a decade.