1982 Ford Cortina — MOT failures & pass rate
734 MOT tests on the 1982 Ford Cortina are in this dataset, and 87.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (18.6% fail rate), the 1982 Cortina comes out 5.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.1%) and suspension (4.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are non catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — non catalyst emissions alone was recorded 33 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1982 Cortina fails 10.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 12.5% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 19.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 14.7% in 2021 to 8.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 52 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.9% | 36 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 35 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.5% | 33 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 29 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non catalyst emissions | 33 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 29 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 25 |
| 4 | Washers | 25 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 14 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.2% | 141 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 82 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 67 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 58 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.9% | 58 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.5% | 48 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 149 | 10.7% |
| 30-60k | 234 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 284 | 13.4% |
| 90-120k | 64 | 12.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 265 | 14.7% |
| 2022 | 215 | 12.6% |
| 2023 | 114 | 12.3% |
| 2024 | 72 | 12.5% |
| 2025 | 68 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 1982 Cortina
On a 1982 Cortina, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (4.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1982 Ford Cortinas pass their MOT?
87.1% of the 734 1982 Ford Cortina MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1982 Ford Cortina?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by suspension (4.9%).
Does the 1982 Cortina get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.7% in the 0-30k band to 12.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 734 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.