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Small car · 1996–2021 cars

Ford Fiesta reliability

The Ford Fiesta fails 33.9% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 4,695,039 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 33/100#33 of 63 small cars

Checking a Ford Fiesta before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
33.9%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
19% more
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
4,695,039
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
7,200
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Ford Fiesta can be a good buy if you check the right things. Across 4,695,039 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, the first-time MOT fail rate is 33.9%, compared with 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 19% more MOT fails, and it ranks 33 of 63 small car models. Cars from 2018 are about average, but 1998 cars have 60% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

Steering is the weak area, with 86% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage, so give it a close look on a test drive. Before you buy, check that every stop lamp and position lamp works, look for a worn suspension ball joint, and check the coil springs for any sign of a crack or break. Ask to see the MOT history too.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford Fiesta ages

Each point is the share of Ford Fiestas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%15%30%45%60%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
Ford FiestaAll cars
Ford Fiesta first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Ford FiestaAll cars
311.9%12.3%
413.8%14.1%
519%16.4%
625.2%19.1%
729.1%22.1%
831.6%25.5%
934.1%28.8%
1037%31.8%
1139.5%34.6%
1241.7%37.3%
1343.3%39.5%
1444.8%41.1%
1545.2%42.3%
1646%42.9%
1746.5%43.4%
1847%43.5%
1946.9%43.4%
2046.1%42.8%
2146.4%41.4%
2246.1%40.6%
2347.4%38.9%
2448%37.1%
2549.4%35.8%

By year

The best and worst Ford Fiesta years

2018 cars come out best and 1998 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford Fiesta MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 Fiesta11,99012.4%15% more fails21,388
2020 Fiesta83,85613.2%14% more fails24,536
2019 Fiesta213,80013.1%4% more fails27,409
2018 Fiesta321,58014%1% fewer fails32,339
2017 Fiesta309,31120.9%26% more fails38,358
2016 Fiesta392,76929.9%54% more fails46,109
2015 Fiesta430,63230.4%35% more fails53,118
2014 Fiesta419,95432.3%25% more fails60,459
2013 Fiesta385,69435.5%23% more fails67,360
2012 Fiesta334,28438.9%22% more fails72,804
2011 Fiesta290,98640%14% more fails80,700
2010 Fiesta298,49342.9%14% more fails86,256
2009 Fiesta323,03044.5%13% more fails88,974
2008 Fiesta208,49645%11% more fails89,118
2007 Fiesta196,12644.6%8% more fails90,684
2006 Fiesta163,15746.8%11% more fails92,374
2005 Fiesta99,25147%11% more fails92,736
2004 Fiesta82,86646.8%11% more fails93,185
2003 Fiesta63,71445.9%9% more fails92,078
2002 Fiesta31,05045.3%12% more fails83,640
2001 Fiesta11,44946.1%24% more fails66,732
2000 Fiesta6,57446.5%30% more fails65,990
1999 Fiesta8,17948.9%44% more fails65,345
1998 Fiesta6,13749.8%60% more fails57,180
1997 Fiesta1,37146.7%53% more fails56,268
199629047.9%58% more fails54,048

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford Fiesta

Its weak spot is steering: 86% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Lights and electrics15.9%42% above avg
  • Suspension12.3%35% above avg
  • Tyres7.6%25% above avg
  • Brakes5.7%14% below avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%4% above avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%26% above avg
  • Body, chassis and structure3.4%1% below avg
  • Steering3.4%86% above avg
  • Seat belts and airbags0.7%23% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Stop lamp not working 5.29% of tests

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  2. 2

    Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.69% of tests

    A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.

  3. 3

    Coil spring fractured or broken 2.6% of tests

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  4. 4

    Position lamp not working 2.55% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  5. 5

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.4% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  6. 6

    Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.28% of tests

    Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.

  7. 7

    Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.83% of tests

    A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.

  8. 8

    Headlamp aim set too low 1.69% of tests

    Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Fiesta's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit14.84%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.24%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored6.77%
  • Coil spring showing some corrosion6.28%
  • Brake pads wearing thin5.14%
  • Brake pipes corroded and greasy4.84%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford Fiesta

  1. 1

    Stop lamp not working

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  2. 2

    Suspension ball joint excessively worn

    A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.

  3. 3

    Coil spring fractured or broken

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  4. 4

    Position lamp not working

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Ford Fiesta covers about 7,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Petrol86.5%
  • Diesel13.5%
  • Hybrid0%
  • LPG0%
  • Electric0%
  • Other0%

Most common colours

Blue, Black, Red, Silver, White

Average engine size: 1.2 litres.

Compare

How the Ford Fiesta compares with its rivals

Ford Fiesta against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Honda Jazz25.7%11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
MINI Hatch25.6%10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Yaris28.9%about average for its age
Volkswagen Polo32.8%16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Fiesta33.9%19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Corsa36.4%28% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Clio43.1%44% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford Fiesta questions, answered

Is the Ford Fiesta reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford Fiesta is below average: it fails 33.9% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 33 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford Fiesta MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford Fiesta are stop lamp not working (5.29% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (3.69% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.6% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 15.9% of its tests.

Which Ford Fiesta year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (about average for its age) and 1998 cars do worst (60% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford Fiesta do a year?

A typical Ford Fiesta covers about 7,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Ford Fiesta before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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