Pontiac Fiero Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Pontiac Fiero car check
Is the Pontiac Fiero reliable? We analysed 743 real MOT tests across 100 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Pontiac Fiero? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Pontiac Fiero is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, parking brake recording little or no effort and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Pontiac Fiero.
Pontiac Fiero Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Pontiac Fiero. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Pontiac Fiero MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Pontiac Fiero to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Pontiac Fiero Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Pontiac Fiero fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Pontiac Fiero Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Pontiac Fiero owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Pontiac Fiero MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Pontiac Fiero year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 64 | 84.4% | 30,024 | 48,835 | 72,561 |
| 1988 | 235 | 69.4% | 49,516 | 67,398 | 90,980 |
| 1987 | 109 | 69.7% | 46,177 | 73,942 | 106,618 |
| 1986 | 178 | 74.2% | 58,407 | 62,286 | 83,542 |
| 1985 | 68 | 72.1% | 56,566 | 67,121 | 95,134 |
How Long Does a Pontiac Fiero Last?
Based on 100 Pontiac Fiero vehicles on UK roads.
Pontiac Fiero Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Pontiac Fiero 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 Pontiac Fiero
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.4% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
69.4% MOT pass rate from 235 tests
The best year to buy a used Pontiac Fiero is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.4% across 64 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Pontiac Fiero Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac Fiero THIS CAR | 72.1% | 743 | 68,276 mi | 41 yrs |
| Pontiac Firebird | 79.4% | 8,717 | 73,018 mi | 58 yrs |
| Pontiac Trans Am | 83.1% | 1,959 | 68,268 mi | 48 yrs |
| Pontiac Transam | 81.6% | 1,209 | 77,066 mi | 48 yrs |
| Peugeot 308 Sr HDI | 88.2% | 1,188 | 103,616 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Pontiac Firebird (79.4% pass rate) and the Pontiac Trans Am (83.1% pass rate), the Pontiac Fiero trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Pontiac Fiero 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 Pontiac FieroShould you buy a used Pontiac Fiero?
The Pontiac Fiero has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.1% across 743 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Pontiac Fiero are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (70 recorded failures), parking brake recording little or no effort (56), and brake binding (26). 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 Pontiac Fiero owner drives around 361 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 Pontiac Fiero models stay on UK roads for around 41 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.