2018 Ford Fiesta · 321,580 MOT tests
2018 Ford Fiesta reliability
2018 Ford Fiestas fail 14% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 25 Fiesta years (321,580 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Fiestas: 33.9%)
- 14%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Fiestas: 33.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- 32,339
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 321,580
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2018 against the years either side
- 2017 cars: 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does better)
- 2019 cars: 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does better)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 4.4% of tests fail here (33% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 22% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2018 car carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
Common problems
What fails on a 2018 Ford Fiesta
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.4%
- Lights and electrics4.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%
- Brakes2.2%
- Seat belts and airbags0.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.8%
- Suspension0.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.06%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Headlamp aim set too low 1.46%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.3%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.1%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.96%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.6%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.52%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.28%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.55%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (4.49%) · Nail in tyre, monitor (1.77%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (1.59%)
Other years
Every Ford Fiesta year
The full picture: Ford Fiesta reliability. Before you pay for any Ford Fiesta, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2018 Ford Fiesta reliable?
2018 Ford Fiestas fail 14% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 25 Fiesta years (321,580 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2018 Ford Fiesta MOT?
Most often tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.06% of tests), headlamp aim set too low (1.46% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.3% of tests).
How many miles should a 2018 Ford Fiesta have done?
At its MOT aged about 5, a typical 2018 Ford Fiesta shows 32,339 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2018 car?
A car first registered in 2018 carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
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