Ford Fiesta TDCI Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Fiesta TDCI car check
Is the Ford Fiesta TDCI reliable? We analysed 456 real MOT tests across 167 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Fiesta TDCI? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Fiesta TDCI is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, position lamp(s) not working and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Fiesta TDCI.
Ford Fiesta TDCI Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Fiesta TDCI. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Fiesta TDCI MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Fiesta TDCI to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Fiesta TDCI Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Fiesta TDCI fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Fiesta TDCI Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Fiesta TDCI owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Fiesta TDCI MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Fiesta TDCI year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 50 | 70.0% | 69,749 | 84,136 | 104,590 |
Ford Fiesta TDCI Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Fiesta TDCI 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 TDCI
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
70.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Fiesta TDCI is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.0% across 50 tests.
How Does the Ford Fiesta TDCI Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta TDCI THIS CAR | 77.6% | 456 | 106,660 mi | 16 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 |
| Honda Ww 125 EX2-H | 83.9% | 623 | 22,098 mi | 10 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Fiesta TDCI outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Fiesta TDCI 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 TDCIShould you buy a used Ford Fiesta TDCI?
The Ford Fiesta TDCI has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.6% across 456 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Ford Fiesta TDCI are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (2 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (2), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2). 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 TDCI owner drives around 5,845 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 TDCI models stay on UK roads for around 16 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.