1997 Ford Probe — MOT failures & pass rate
496 MOT tests on the 1997 Ford Probe are in this dataset, and 74.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 25.0%, so the 1997 Probe sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (12.7%) and suspension (11.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 43 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.1% in the 30-60k band and 27.8% in the 150k+ band, a 18.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 12.7% | 63 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 55 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 38 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 36 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 31 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 43 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 40 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 36 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 31 |
| 5 | Joints | 18 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
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 | 38.9% | 193 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.1% | 154 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.8% | 103 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 103 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.7% | 88 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 45 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 33 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 127 | 28.3% |
| 90-120k | 135 | 26.7% |
| 120-150k | 127 | 25.2% |
| 150k+ | 54 | 27.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 103 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 106 | 24.5% |
| 2023 | 103 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 88 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 96 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Probe
On a 1997 Probe, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (12.7% 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 (11.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 1997 Ford Probes pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 496 1997 Ford Probe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Ford Probe?
Brakes, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 1997 Probe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 30-60k band to 27.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 496 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.