1998 Ford Escort 1.8L Petrol · R933 BDB
1998 Ford Escort (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Jan 1998. Recorded mileage 78,927 miles. MOT expired on 09 Apr 2026.
- Make & Model
- FORD ESCORT
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 09 Apr 2026
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (31 Jul 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 78,927 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
R933 BDB Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 08/04/2025
- 78,927 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (3 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: 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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R933 BDB Mileage History
- 01/12/202174,587 mi
- 27/03/202378,851 mi+4,264 mi
- 11/04/202378,852 mi+1 mi
- 02/04/202478,880 mi+28 mi
- 08/04/202578,927 mi+47 mi
Average of roughly 1,295 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
R933 BDB 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 1998 Ford Escort (R933 BDB) between December 2021 and April 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 08 April 2025 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: Lighting (3 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Brakes (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 9 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: “Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))”; “Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt ”; “Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. While the mileage is relatively low for a 1998 vehicle, the MOT history reveals persistent issues with corrosion, suspension wear, and potential engine management concerns.
If you are considering this Escort, your priority should be a thorough inspection of the underside. The MOT history shows a recurring theme of corrosion, specifically regarding brake pipes and rear wheel arches. You should negotiate the price downwards if the brake pipe corrosion mentioned in the 2024 and 2025 tests has not been professionally addressed with new lines rather than just being 'covered in grease'.
Secondly, check the engine's health. The 2023 failure noted an exhaust Lambda reading outside specified limits and a potential water pump leak. Ensure the cooling system is robust and that there are no signs of overheating, a problem previously noted by the user in 2010. Finally, verify that all lighting and electrical components are fully functional, as the vehicle has a history of failing on basic bulb and repeater issues.
As a 1.8L petrol model, running costs will be moderate for a car of this era. Fuel economy will be typical for late-90s Ford engineering, likely averaging around 30-35 mpg depending on driving style.
Insurance groups for a 1998 Escort are generally low, making it an affordable option for newer drivers. Maintenance costs can fluctuate; while parts are plentiful and cheap, the history of suspension bushes, CV boots, and exhaust leaks suggests you should budget for regular replacement of wear-and-tear items. Estimated annual running costs, including fuel, tax, and basic maintenance, sit around £900-£1,200.
Focus heavily on the braking system and chassis. The 2024 and 2025 MOT advisories specifically mention corroded brake pipes that were covered in grease; this is often a tactic to hide the extent of the decay, so inspect the lines closely for pitting or thinning.
Next, examine the suspension and drivetrain. The vehicle has a long history of deteriorating suspension arm bushes and CV boot failures (noted in 2023). Check for any play in the steering column, a recurring advisory/failure point for this specific car. Lastly, check the engine bay for signs of the water pump leak and the 'overheating' issues mentioned in previous records to ensure the cooling system is no longer compromised.
This 1998 Ford Escort presents a mixed profile; it has covered a modest 78,927 miles over its 28-year life, but the maintenance history shows signs of age-related neglect. Recent MOT advisories highlight ongoing brake pipe corrosion and suspension bushing wear. While it has passed its most recent tests, the history of failures regarding CV boots, exhaust emissions, and lighting suggests a vehicle that requires attentive ownership.
No aggregate reliability data is available for this specific model, but historical MOT trends for this vehicle suggest susceptibility to suspension wear and corrosion.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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