Pontiac Firebird Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Pontiac Firebird car check
Is the Pontiac Firebird reliable? We analysed 8,717 real MOT tests across 1,065 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Pontiac Firebird? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Pontiac Firebird is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Pontiac Firebird.
Pontiac Firebird Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Pontiac Firebird. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Pontiac Firebird MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Pontiac Firebird to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Pontiac Firebird Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Pontiac Firebird fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Pontiac Firebird Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Pontiac Firebird owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Pontiac Firebird MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Pontiac Firebird year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 64 | 75.0% | 53,438 | 62,823 | 81,668 |
| 2004 | 55 | 85.5% | 4,478 | 28,080 | 65,058 |
| 2002 | 138 | 82.6% | 39,953 | 60,470 | 122,039 |
| 2001 | 126 | 81.0% | 36,618 | 46,742 | 72,790 |
| 2000 | 93 | 86.0% | 36,652 | 49,611 | 77,853 |
| 1999 | 191 | 80.1% | 49,704 | 82,334 | 135,621 |
| 1998 | 123 | 78.0% | 77,486 | 98,323 | 126,428 |
| 1997 | 422 | 78.0% | 56,138 | 80,093 | 115,728 |
| 1996 | 290 | 72.1% | 51,543 | 86,745 | 120,704 |
| 1995 | 633 | 76.6% | 65,573 | 91,106 | 118,716 |
| 1994 | 697 | 80.1% | 66,920 | 89,861 | 121,791 |
| 1993 | 151 | 70.2% | 72,983 | 106,075 | 162,762 |
| 1992 | 263 | 75.3% | 78,456 | 104,404 | 151,912 |
| 1991 | 541 | 76.2% | 62,996 | 112,504 | 157,432 |
| 1990 | 352 | 75.6% | 47,132 | 75,138 | 110,689 |
| 1989 | 539 | 79.8% | 38,794 | 69,081 | 102,006 |
| 1988 | 323 | 76.2% | 55,418 | 84,589 | 98,534 |
| 1987 | 323 | 79.3% | 75,042 | 106,695 | 128,978 |
| 1986 | 142 | 74.6% | 49,917 | 71,229 | 108,760 |
| 1985 | 208 | 73.6% | 41,983 | 60,812 | 88,826 |
How Long Does a Pontiac Firebird Last?
Based on 1,065 Pontiac Firebird vehicles on UK roads.
Pontiac Firebird Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Pontiac Firebird 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 Firebird
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.3% MOT pass rate from 65 tests
70.2% MOT pass rate from 151 tests
The best year to buy a used Pontiac Firebird is 1970, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.3% across 65 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Pontiac Firebird Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac Firebird THIS CAR | 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 |
| Pontiac Fiero | 72.1% | 743 | 68,276 mi | 41 yrs |
| Volkswagen Taigo Life TSI | 87.9% | 4,210 | 25,182 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Pontiac Trans Am (83.1% pass rate) and the Pontiac Transam (81.6% pass rate), the Pontiac Firebird trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Pontiac Firebird 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 FirebirdShould you buy a used Pontiac Firebird?
The Pontiac Firebird has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.4% across 8,717 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 Pontiac Firebird are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (226 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (198), and brake pipe excessively corroded (177). 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 Firebird owner drives around 640 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 Firebird models stay on UK roads for around 58 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.