Ford Fiest Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Fiest car check
Is the Ford Fiest reliable? We analysed 601 real MOT tests across 109 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Fiest? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Fiest is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Fiest.
Ford Fiest Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Fiest. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Fiest MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Fiest to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Fiest Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Fiest fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Fiest Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Fiest owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Fiest MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Fiest year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 101 | 61.4% | 19,480 | 66,294 | 78,352 |
| 1996 | 59 | 61.0% | 48,502 | 64,605 | 80,760 |
| 1995 | 59 | 54.2% | 57,532 | 68,287 | 80,406 |
| 1992 | 152 | 59.9% | 39,980 | 59,029 | 78,054 |
How Long Does a Ford Fiest Last?
Based on 109 Ford Fiest vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Fiest Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Fiest MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ford Fiest
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
61.4% MOT pass rate from 101 tests
54.2% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Fiest is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 61.4% across 101 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 54.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Fiest Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiest THIS CAR | 62.1% | 601 | 65,065 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| Peugeot Expert Sport L1 Bluehdi | 84% | 437 | 49,251 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Fiest trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Fiest you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford FiestShould you buy a used Ford Fiest?
The Ford Fiest has an overall MOT pass rate of 62.1% across 601 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Ford Fiest are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (66 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (63), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (54). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Ford Fiest owner drives around 5,779 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ford Fiest models stay on UK roads for around 34 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.