1994 Ford Escort 1.6L Petrol · L41 STJ
1994 Ford Escort (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Feb 1994. Recorded mileage 8,485 miles. MOT expired on 03 Apr 2008.
- Make & Model
- FORD ESCORT
- Year / Origin
- 1994 · Stanmore (Wimbledon)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 03 Apr 2008
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (27 Mar 2008)
- Recorded Mileage
- 8,485 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.
L41 STJ Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 04/04/2007
- 8,485 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
L41 STJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1994 Ford Escort (L41 STJ) between March 2006 and April 2007.
The record contains 2 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 04 April 2007 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (2 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Bodywork (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing (2.5.C.1a)”; “Nearside Rear Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the bo”; “Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)”.
L41 STJ Mileage History
- 10/03/20063,697 mi
- 13/03/20063,725 mi+28 mi
- 14/03/20063,715 mi-10 mi
- 04/04/20078,485 mi+4,770 mi
Average of roughly 4,484 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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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: Below Average
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
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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 1994 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.
- Zetec 16V Hydraulic Tappet Sticking and Valve MisfireModerate
The 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre 16-valve Zetec engines rely on hydraulic lash adjusters (tappets) to regulate valve clearances. The oil feed galleries supplying the lifters are narrow and highly sensitive to oil viscosity and cleanliness. When owners use thick mineral oil (such as 15W-40 or 20W-50) or exceed service intervals, sludge clogs the hydraulic lifters, causing them to stick pump-up or bleed down slowly. This causes severe cold-engine valve chatter, compression loss, and rough idling misfires until the engine reaches full operating temperature.
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