Ford Probe MOT pass rate & common failures
1,886 MOT tests on the Ford Probe (1988–2019) give it a 74.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (24.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are brakes, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (12.3%) and suspension (10.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 192 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.1% in the 0-30k band and 32.0% in the 150k+ band, a 20.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every Probe model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 266 | 75.2% | 24.8% | Brakes |
| 1995 | 666 | 71.9% | 28.1% | Brakes |
| 1996 | 415 | 77.3% | 22.7% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 1997 | 496 | 74.8% | 25.2% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 12.3% | 232 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 188 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 173 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 164 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 156 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 76 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.8% | 72 |
| 8 | Tyres | 3.7% | 70 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 192 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 185 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 125 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 91 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 91 |
| 6 | Joints | 76 |
| 7 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 70 |
| 8 | Wipers | 66 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 38.4% | 724 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.9% | 546 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.7% | 410 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.3% | 383 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.4% | 366 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.8% | 166 |
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 | 54 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 208 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 594 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 521 | 29.6% |
| 120-150k | 328 | 26.5% |
| 150k+ | 181 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 434 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 380 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 378 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 339 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 355 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a Ford Probe
- Brakes (12.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 (9.2% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Probe?
74.6% of the 1,886 Ford Probe MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 25.4% fail rate, across model years 1988–2019.
What does the Ford Probe most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes, recorded in 12.3% of tests, then suspension (10.0%).
How much does mileage affect Probe MOT results?
Fail rates run at 11.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 32.0% for 150k+, a 20.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,886 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.