Ford Fiesta Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Fiesta car check
Is the Ford Fiesta reliable? We analysed 33,753,820 real MOT tests across 2,828,392 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Fiesta? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Fiesta is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Fiesta.
Ford Fiesta Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Fiesta. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Fiesta MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Fiesta to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Fiesta Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Fiesta fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Fiesta Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ford Fiesta models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ford Fiesta Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Fiesta owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Fiesta MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Fiesta year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4,390 | 90.6% | 12,359 | 18,522 | 26,308 |
| 2022 | 10,993 | 90.4% | 13,570 | 20,035 | 28,938 |
| 2021 | 10,890 | 89.3% | 14,463 | 22,985 | 34,867 |
| 2020 | 82,310 | 87.0% | 16,727 | 26,344 | 39,806 |
| 2019 | 372,417 | 87.9% | 18,085 | 28,186 | 41,520 |
| 2018 | 579,396 | 87.4% | 20,609 | 31,978 | 46,818 |
| 2017 | 717,277 | 84.1% | 23,112 | 35,510 | 52,014 |
| 2016 | 1,083,400 | 78.9% | 26,090 | 39,864 | 58,221 |
| 2015 | 1,362,902 | 78.7% | 28,238 | 43,635 | 63,740 |
| 2014 | 1,503,146 | 78.5% | 30,809 | 48,027 | 69,814 |
| 2013 | 1,555,177 | 77.7% | 33,154 | 51,921 | 75,162 |
| 2012 | 1,519,475 | 77.0% | 34,875 | 55,295 | 80,162 |
| 2011 | 1,457,676 | 76.6% | 37,268 | 59,643 | 86,338 |
| 2010 | 1,695,324 | 74.7% | 38,753 | 62,306 | 89,870 |
| 2009 | 2,036,633 | 73.7% | 38,496 | 62,626 | 90,572 |
| 2008 | 1,631,430 | 73.5% | 38,841 | 62,286 | 89,289 |
| 2007 | 1,815,776 | 73.6% | 39,177 | 62,922 | 90,187 |
| 2006 | 1,867,131 | 72.6% | 39,707 | 63,743 | 90,988 |
| 2005 | 1,498,373 | 72.8% | 39,514 | 63,852 | 91,504 |
| 2004 | 1,652,868 | 72.6% | 40,092 | 64,638 | 92,559 |
How Long Does a Ford Fiesta Last?
Based on 2,828,392 Ford Fiesta vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Fiesta Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Fiesta 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 Fiesta
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.6% MOT pass rate from 4,390 tests
60.3% MOT pass rate from 806,618 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Fiesta is 2023, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.6% across 4,390 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Fiesta Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta THIS CAR | 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 |
| Ford Mondeo | 70.1% | 12,239,875 | 94,838 mi | 33 yrs |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 69.7% | 26,893,546 | 58,908 mi | 33 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate) and the Ford Transit (68.7% pass rate), the Ford Fiesta sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Fiesta 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 FiestaShould you buy a used Ford Fiesta?
The Ford Fiesta has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.8% across 33,753,820 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Fiesta are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (959,538 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (870,463), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (634,942). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ford Fiesta with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Ford Fiesta owner drives around 5,238 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 Fiesta 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.