Ford Probe
Registered from 1994 to 1997.
About this model
The Ford Probe is a liftback coupé manufactured and marketed by Ford for model years 1988-1997 over two generations. The Probe was a byproduct of Ford's collaboration with its Japanese partner Mazda, and both generations derived from the front-wheel drive Mazda G platform of the Mazda Capella.
From the Wikipedia article Ford Probe, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 1995 2.5 petrol. 18 of 76 tests failed, 24%.
Better than 55% of 1995 cars. The typical one fails 25%, across 145 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 72% | 13 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 50% | 9 |
| Suspension | 39% | 7 |
| Lights and electrics | 33% | 6 |
| Body and structure | 22% | 4 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 11% | 2 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Where it stands out against its peers
- Brakes: failed more often than 97% of 1995 cars — 72% of its 18 failed tests, where an ordinary 1995 car has 40%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 72% of its failures
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Exhaust and emissions — 50% of its failures
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- Suspension — 39% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Lights and electrics — 33% of its failures
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Body and structure — 22% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Seat belts and airbags — 11% of its failures