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What to check: Ford EcoSport

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Ranked across all years of the Ford EcoSport, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Coil springsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 19.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.3%

Lights and horn walkroundRuns high on this modelWith a helper, run every light: dipped, main beam, indicators, brake lights including the high-level one, reverse, fog, and the horn. On newer cars a dead LED section can mean replacing the whole lamp unit rather than a bulb.Recorded on 7.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.8%

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 4.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.2%

Rubber boots and gaitersRuns high on this modelOn full steering lock, look in behind each front wheel at the concertina rubber boots on the driveshafts and steering rack. Splits, or grease flung around the arch, mean dirt is getting into a joint that costs far more than the boot protecting it.Recorded on 3.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Headlamp lensesRuns high on this modelCheck for condensation inside the headlamps and for cloudy or yellowed lenses. Both attract MOT trouble, and moisture inside a sealed LED unit generally means a whole new lamp.Recorded on 3.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.3%

ExhaustRuns high on this modelListen along the exhaust at cold idle for blowing or chuffing, and give the tailpipe a push to check nothing hangs loose. Small blows only get louder.Recorded on 3.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Handbrake holdRuns high on this modelStop on a hill and put the handbrake on. It should hold the car firmly within a few clicks, or straight away on the button if it is electronic. Roll-back means adjustment at best, new cables or a caliper motor at worst.Recorded on 1.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.3%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourRuns high on this modelCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 22.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 11.1%

Pads and discsLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 7.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 8.7%

Windscreen and wipersScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 2.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.7%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Drive it over a rough road or speed bumps and listen for knocks from the front struts and rear suspension.Knocking or crashing over bumps beyond a generally firm ride points to worn suspension components.

If it's an automatic, pull away repeatedly from a dead stop and crawl in traffic if you can.Hesitation, shudder, or gears that seem to stick in 1st or 2nd is the Powershift clutch pack wearing.

Ask for service history and check whether the clutch pack or mechatronic unit has ever been replaced on a Powershift auto.No mention of either on a high-mileage auto means it's probably still to come.

Press on interior trim panels, door cards and the dash for rattles or looseness.Loose trim is common but worse on pre-2018 Indian-built cars; heavy rattling suggests a tired example.

Check the build date or VIN to see if it's Indian-built (pre-2018) or Romanian-built (2018 on).The later cars are reported to have noticeably better fit and finish.

On a TDCi diesel, check the MOT history for exhaust or emissions advisories and ask about recent driving patterns.Advisories plus a life of short school-run trips points to a DPF or EGR heading for trouble.

Test every window, the central locking, and the steering lock with the engine off and on, more than once.Any hesitation or failure to respond is worth walking away from, since these faults have been reported from new.

Full Ford EcoSport reliability report