Ford Fiesta Zetec S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Fiesta Zetec S car check
Is the Ford Fiesta Zetec S reliable? We analysed 1,979 real MOT tests across 370 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Fiesta Zetec S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Fiesta Zetec S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Fiesta Zetec S.
Ford Fiesta Zetec S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Fiesta Zetec S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Fiesta Zetec S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Fiesta Zetec S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Fiesta Zetec S Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ford Fiesta Zetec S models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ford Fiesta Zetec S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Fiesta Zetec S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Fiesta Zetec S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Fiesta Zetec S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
How Does the Ford Fiesta Zetec S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta Zetec S THIS CAR | 83.9% | 1,979 | 72,286 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 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Hse D MHEV Auto | 90.7% | 1,669 | 31,042 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Fiesta Zetec S outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Fiesta Zetec S 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 Zetec SShould you buy a used Ford Fiesta Zetec S?
The Ford Fiesta Zetec S has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% across 1,979 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common failure point is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm with 2 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is exhaust silencer likely to become detached. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ford Fiesta Zetec S 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 Zetec S owner drives around 6,453 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.