1995 FORD ESCORT1.4L PETROL

The vehicle is not currently roadworthy. The last MOT passed on 2009-08-05 at 75,871 miles, but this test is 17 years old and legally invalid. The preceding test on 2009-07-31 recorded a failure with serious defects, including offside front tyre with exposed cords and a nearisde rear seatbelt damaged. A critical failure occurred in 2008-04-30 where both rear brakes and the parking brake recorded little or no effort, indicating a severe and dangerous braking system fault. The maintenance trend is therefore unclear due to the extensive testing gap, but the recorded history shows a pattern of neglecting fundamental safety items like brakes and tyres, culminating in a major brake system failure just weeks before the final pass. The recorded mileage of 75,871 miles over approximately 31 years suggests very low average annual use, around 2,447 miles per year. However, the MOT history reveals a notable period of higher activity between May 2008 (64,254 miles) and August 2009 (75,871 miles), accumulating over 11,600 miles in 15 months. Following the August 2009 test, the vehicle appears to have been off the road, as no subsequent MOT records exist for 17 years. This prolonged stationary period raises significant concerns about component corrosion, seized brake calipers or cylinders, and degraded rubber components regardless of the previously low mileage. A buyer must inspect the braking system as the absolute priority, given the historical complete failure of the rear brakes and parking brake. The offside front tyre condition from 2009, with ply or cords exposed, suggests a history of severe tyre neglect that may have damaged the wheel rim. The nearisde rear seatbelt damage, while noted as not affecting operation, remains a safety liability and must be physically examined for webbing integrity. All four brake discs and calipers should be checked for binding and corrosion, and the entire exhaust system for structural integrity. The windscreen wiper motors and linkages should be tested for effective operation, and all lamp outputs verified. Given the age and testing hiatus, a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is essential to assess current structural corrosion, suspension bush condition, and drivetrain viability.