Ford Sierra Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Sierra car check
Is the Ford Sierra reliable? We analysed 235,897 real MOT tests across 50,859 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Sierra? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Sierra is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Sierra.
Ford Sierra Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Sierra. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Sierra MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Sierra to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Sierra Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Sierra fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Sierra Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Sierra owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Sierra MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Sierra year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 53 | 73.6% | 29,770 | 38,064 | 71,935 |
| 1996 | 78 | 79.5% | 37,224 | 70,783 | 79,042 |
| 1995 | 58 | 67.2% | 53,662 | 70,290 | 89,441 |
| 1993 | 18,239 | 68.6% | 24,025 | 51,864 | 79,127 |
| 1992 | 55,239 | 67.6% | 21,751 | 48,936 | 77,721 |
| 1991 | 42,714 | 66.3% | 22,580 | 48,914 | 76,573 |
| 1990 | 37,675 | 67.6% | 22,508 | 49,918 | 78,053 |
| 1989 | 29,575 | 69.0% | 23,079 | 49,183 | 77,141 |
| 1988 | 15,799 | 70.4% | 23,601 | 51,526 | 77,930 |
| 1987 | 14,056 | 79.1% | 27,122 | 53,720 | 77,230 |
| 1986 | 8,014 | 80.3% | 28,644 | 57,627 | 78,874 |
| 1985 | 2,581 | 71.5% | 28,240 | 52,534 | 80,076 |
| 1984 | 5,616 | 75.1% | 21,810 | 45,902 | 72,958 |
| 1983 | 5,416 | 74.2% | 23,607 | 48,186 | 76,051 |
| 1982 | 382 | 74.3% | 23,254 | 49,432 | 72,281 |
| 1971 | 72 | 68.1% | 21,453 | 32,097 | 60,766 |
How Long Does a Ford Sierra Last?
Based on 50,859 Ford Sierra vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Sierra Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Sierra 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 Sierra
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.3% MOT pass rate from 8,014 tests
66.3% MOT pass rate from 42,714 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Sierra is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.3% across 8,014 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Sierra Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Sierra THIS CAR | 69.3% | 235,897 | 50,133 mi | 43 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 |
| Seat Ateca | 89.5% | 226,507 | 39,616 mi | 10 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Sierra trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Sierra 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 SierraShould you buy a used Ford Sierra?
The Ford Sierra has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.3% across 235,897 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Sierra are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (24,833 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (20,240), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (12,426). 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 Sierra owner drives around 1,731 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 Sierra models stay on UK roads for around 43 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.