Ford Fiesta ST Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Fiesta ST car check
Is the Ford Fiesta ST reliable? We analysed 840 real MOT tests across 159 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Fiesta ST? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Fiesta ST is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Fiesta ST.
Ford Fiesta ST Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Fiesta ST. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Fiesta ST MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Fiesta ST to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Fiesta ST Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ford Fiesta ST models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ford Fiesta ST Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Fiesta ST owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Fiesta ST MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Fiesta ST year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 68 | 88.2% | 29,209 | 56,422 | 103,538 |
| 2006 | 118 | 69.5% | 53,018 | 88,242 | 109,341 |
Ford Fiesta ST Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Fiesta ST 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 ST
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.2% MOT pass rate from 68 tests
69.5% MOT pass rate from 118 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Fiesta ST is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.2% across 68 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.5% — 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 ST Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta ST THIS CAR | 76.5% | 840 | 87,497 mi | 20 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 |
| Mercedes-benz C 200 AMG Line ED Prem MHEV A | 89.6% | 1,582 | 23,546 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Fiesta ST outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Fiesta ST 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 Fiesta STShould you buy a used Ford Fiesta ST?
The Ford Fiesta ST has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.5% across 840 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
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 ST 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 ST owner drives around 4,536 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 ST models stay on UK roads for around 20 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.