1997 Ford Escort 1.8L Petrol · R696 BHW

Front‑end suspension wear dominates the car’s MOT narrative: the anti‑roll bar pins and bushes have been flagged repeatedly, while a minor exhaust leak has persisted across several tests. A serious brake issue appeared in the 2022‑08‑04 failure – a front disc that was “significantly and obviously worn” and an off‑side service brake that fluctuated – but the subsequent 2022‑08‑15 pass shows those major faults were addressed, and the last three tests (2023, 2025 and 2026) recorded no defects, indicating the most recent condition is clean aside from the lingering advisories. At 80,882 mi for a 1997 model the annual average is roughly 2,800 mi, well below the typical usage for a vehicle of this age. Such low mileage can imply periods of limited use or storage, which may have contributed to the anti‑roll bar bush wear and the exhaust leak noted in the MOTs. The testing record is continuous, with no multi‑year gaps, suggesting the car has been kept on the road and subjected to regular inspections despite the modest mileage. When you inspect the front suspension, concentrate on the anti‑roll bar connections: listen for clunking or rattles when driving over potholes or uneven surfaces, and feel for any looseness in the steering response. Excessive play or a vague “knocking” sensation could indicate the worn pins or bushes have progressed beyond advisory status and may need replacement. For the exhaust, run the engine at idle and at higher revs while standing near the rear of the car; a faint hissing, a noticeable sulphur smell, or black soot around the silencer area would confirm the minor leak is still active and could worsen with age. Given the 2022 brake failure, verify that the front discs and pads have been replaced: inspect disc thickness visually and with a micrometer if possible, and check for uniform wear patterns. During a test drive, apply the brakes firmly at varying speeds; the pedal should feel solid without pulsation or a spongy feel that would suggest lingering brake‑caliper or hydraulic issues. Finally, a brief visual survey of the chassis for rust, especially around the subframe and suspension mounting points, will help ensure no hidden corrosion has developed while the car was lightly used.