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Ford Fiesta LX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Ford Fiesta LX car check

Is the Ford Fiesta LX reliable? We analysed 2,103 real MOT tests across 689 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,103 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.3%
Typical Mileage
93,285mi
Annual Mileage
3,583mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
yrs

The Ford Fiesta LX is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include hazard warning lamps inoperative, brake pipe excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Fiesta LX.

Ford Fiesta LX Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Ford Fiesta LX. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Ford Fiesta LX Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Ford Fiesta LX fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Hazard warning lamps inoperative 2
Brake pipe excessively corroded 2
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 1
drive shaft coupling flexible rubber or fabric coupling unit breaking up 1

Ford Fiesta LX Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Ford Fiesta LX owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,613 mi/yr
Typical
3,583 mi/yr
Average
4,517 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,087 mi/yr

Ford Fiesta LX Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Ford Fiesta LX MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
93,285 mi
75th Percentile
117,847 mi
95th Percentile
157,323 mi
Max Recorded
992,234 mi

How Does the Ford Fiesta LX Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ford Fiesta LX THIS CAR 74.3% 2,103 93,285 mi — 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
Beauford Tourer 85.4% 1,605 16,042 mi 49 yrs

Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Fiesta LX outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Ford Fiesta LX?

The Ford Fiesta LX has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.3% across 2,103 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Ford Fiesta LX are hazard warning lamps inoperative (2 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (2), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1). 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 Fiesta LX owner drives around 3,583 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.

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.

Ford Fiesta LX — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ford Fiesta LX reliable?
Based on 2,103 MOT tests, the Ford Fiesta LX has a 74.3% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Ford Fiesta LX?
The most common MOT failures are hazard warning lamps inoperative, brake pipe excessively corroded, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Ford Fiesta LX do per year?
The typical Ford Fiesta LX does around 3,583 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ford Fiesta LX last?
Lifespan data is not yet available for this model.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ford Fiesta LX?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.