1990 Ford Escort 1.6L Petrol · H481 CDX
1990 Ford Escort (1.6L, petrol). First registered 09 Aug 1990. Recorded mileage 28,090 miles. MOT valid until 09 Jun 2027.
- Make & Model
- FORD ESCORT
- Year / Origin
- 1990 · Bournemouth
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 09 Jun 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 28,090 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
H481 CDX Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 09/06/2026
- 28,090 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
H481 CDX MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1990 Ford Escort (H481 CDX) between May 2023 and June 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 09 June 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (5 issues), Bodywork (3 issues), Lighting (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))”; “Offside Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))”; “Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))”.
H481 CDX Mileage History
- 16/05/202327,858 mi
- 17/05/202327,858 mi
- 03/06/202427,877 mi+19 mi
- 12/05/202528,033 mi+156 mi
- 09/06/202628,090 mi+57 mi
Average of roughly 76 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Ford Ford Escort Mk5 / Mk6
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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FORD ESCORT Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1990 model year cars.
- Battery Tray Corrosion and Main Fusebox Water IngressSerious
The battery mounting tray in the engine compartment sits directly above the passenger-side bulkhead above the interior Central Electronic Module (main fusebox). Acid spills from aging lead-acid batteries and blocked scuttle drain grommets cause the thin sheet metal of the battery tray and surrounding seam sealer to corrode and perforate. Rainwater washes through the rust hole directly onto the internal multi-layer printed circuit board of the fusebox, causing copper track corrosion, dry solder joints, and chaotic electrical malfunctions across multiple circuits.
- Rear Wheel Arch and Fuel Filler Neck Structural RustSerious
The rear inner and outer quarter panels on Mk5 and Mk6 Escorts feature an unsealed cavity surrounding the fuel filler pipe neck. Road spray, mud, and road salt thrown up by the rear offside tyre accumulate in the ledge behind the fuel flap rubber seal. Lacking modern plastic wheel arch liners and robust factory galvanising, the steel panels corrode rapidly from the inside out, bubbling through the exterior paintwork around the fuel cap and spreading into the rear arch lips, inner wheel tub, and rear chassis legs.
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