Ford Fiesta reliability: what 4.1m MOT tests show
Across 4,134,382 MOT tests on Ford Fiesta cars first used between 2000 and 2023, 65.9% passed first time. The figure for all cars is 71.7%. Compared only with cars tested at the same age, the Fiesta is 3.9 points behind, so the model itself is below average, not just old. At its first MOT, at three years old, 86.3% of Fiestas pass; the national figure for three-year-old cars is 87.9%. Top of the failure list: a brake light not working, on 15.9% of failed tests.
What fails a Ford Fiesta at its MOT
Of every hundred Fiestas that fail, about 16 are marked down for a brake light not working and 11 for a worn ball joint. Percentages can add to more than 100 because one failed test often records several defects.
Most lighting failures are a single dead bulb. Testers see them every day, and every one of them could have been fixed in a car park.
Advisories to expect on a Fiesta
An advisory is the tester telling you what fails next year. On the Fiesta the usual suspects are tyre tread below the legal minimum (16.9% of tests) and a damaged tyre sidewall (10.7%). Nationally, an advisory on lights becomes a failure 36.1% of the time.
Petrol, diesel or hybrid Fiesta?
Among Ford Fiesta cars, petrol versions pass 67.3% of the time and diesel versions 56.5%, a gap of 10.8 points. Diesels tend to be bought for high mileage, which shows up at the test as wear.
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 67.3% | 3,599,493 |
| Diesel | 56.5% | 533,641 |
Pass rate by year of first use
Pass rates run from 54.4% for 2000 cars to 92.3% for 2023 cars. Most of that spread is age: a car tested at ten years old has had far more chances to wear something out than one tested at four.
| First used | Pass rate | Tests | Miles a year | First MOT pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta 2023 | 92.3% | 1,388 | 9,363 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2022 | 91.1% | 26,302 | 6,913 | 91% |
| Ford Fiesta 2021 | 87.8% | 56,899 | 7,160 | 86.8% |
| Ford Fiesta 2020 | 85.4% | 148,264 | 6,869 | 83.7% |
| Ford Fiesta 2019 | 86.1% | 230,759 | 6,686 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2018 | 84.2% | 274,534 | 6,763 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2017 | 76.6% | 267,367 | 6,706 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2016 | 68.7% | 338,403 | 6,836 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2015 | 67.3% | 371,961 | 6,795 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2014 | 64.8% | 362,396 | 6,807 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2013 | 62.3% | 332,822 | 6,810 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2012 | 59.4% | 291,542 | 6,710 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2011 | 58.5% | 249,891 | 6,747 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2010 | 55.8% | 254,570 | 6,596 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2009 | 54.3% | 270,016 | 6,244 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2008 | 54.1% | 165,520 | 5,759 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2007 | 54.4% | 152,829 | 5,505 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2006 | 52.7% | 124,002 | 5,282 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2005 | 53.1% | 73,817 | 5,005 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2004 | 53.5% | 60,738 | 4,800 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2003 | 54.8% | 45,943 | 4,508 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2002 | 55.8% | 21,946 | 3,923 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2001 | 55.4% | 7,938 | 3,066 | – |
| Ford Fiesta 2000 | 54.4% | 4,535 | 2,942 | – |
Mileage matters more than the badge
On the 2015 cars, a Fiesta under 40,000 miles passes 80.1% of the time; one over 100,000 passes 54.3%. When comparing two used Fiestas, the odometer tells you more than the year.
| Mileage at test (2015 cars) | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 80.1% | 86,570 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 69.6% | 111,376 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 62.2% | 93,086 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.2% | 49,479 |
| Over 100,000 | 54.3% | 31,082 |
How the Fiesta compares
Set against the rest of the Ford range, which averages 68.5%, the Fiesta at 65.9% is below par. Within the family, see Focus common problems (67.9%), how the Transit does (66.9%), the Kuga (79.5%) and Ford Mondeo MOT pass rate (66.8%), or the Ford range at the MOT. Buyers weighing a Fiesta against other cars of similar popularity often compare it with the Volkswagen Polo (67.2%) and Vauxhall Astra (65.7%). The full reliability table puts them side by side, and the UK pass rates by age and fuel give the baseline.
Each Fiesta year in detail
Each year opens to show its own failure list and pass rate by mileage.
Ford Fiesta 2023 92.3% pass 1,388 tests
On a 2023 Ford Fiesta, a bulging tyre appears on 18.7% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 12.1%.
2023 cars pass 92.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 100% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 92.4% | 1,309 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 90.6% | 64 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 88.9% | 9 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 100% | 2 |
| Over 100,000 | 100% | 4 |
Ford Fiesta 2022 91.1% pass 26,302 tests91% at first MOT
On a 2022 Ford Fiesta, a tyre worn or cut to the cords appears on 15.3% of failed tests, with a bulging tyre next at 11.7%.
2022 cars pass 91.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 76.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91.6% | 24,372 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 85.3% | 1,491 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 80.2% | 323 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 80% | 90 |
| Over 100,000 | 76.9% | 26 |
Ford Fiesta 2021 87.8% pass 56,899 tests86.8% at first MOT
On a 2021 Ford Fiesta, headlamp aim out of adjustment appears on 36.2% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 10.8%.
2021 cars pass 88.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 75.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.6% | 49,945 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83% | 5,552 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 79.9% | 1,019 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 75.1% | 265 |
| Over 100,000 | 75.4% | 118 |
Ford Fiesta 2020 85.4% pass 148,264 tests83.7% at first MOT
On a 2020 Ford Fiesta, headlamp aim out of adjustment appears on 26.6% of failed tests, with a leaking shock absorbers next at 12.9%.
2020 cars pass 86.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 79.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 86.5% | 120,863 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.2% | 21,604 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.8% | 4,090 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 77.9% | 1,119 |
| Over 100,000 | 79.3% | 584 |
By fuel: petrol 85.4% (143,685 tests), diesel 84.5% (4,315 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2019 86.1% pass 230,759 tests
On a 2019 Ford Fiesta, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 14.2% of failed tests, with headlamp aim out of adjustment next at 12.5%.
2019 cars pass 88.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 75.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.6% | 162,458 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.3% | 49,878 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 77.6% | 13,364 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 74.6% | 3,491 |
| Over 100,000 | 75.1% | 1,548 |
By fuel: petrol 86.2% (222,459 tests), diesel 83.2% (8,297 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2018 84.2% pass 274,534 tests
On a 2018 Ford Fiesta, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 15.1% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 11.6%.
2018 cars pass 88.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 68.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.1% | 150,115 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.6% | 82,766 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 76.7% | 30,741 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 73% | 8,084 |
| Over 100,000 | 68.7% | 2,811 |
By fuel: petrol 84.4% (265,579 tests), diesel 79.7% (8,954 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2017 76.6% pass 267,367 tests
On a 2017 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 20.3% of failed tests, with a broken coil spring next at 9.9%.
2017 cars pass 84.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 59.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 84.7% | 115,559 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 74% | 88,005 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 67.5% | 41,931 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 63% | 14,434 |
| Over 100,000 | 59.6% | 7,246 |
By fuel: petrol 77.3% (249,176 tests), diesel 68% (18,191 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2016 68.7% pass 338,403 tests
On a 2016 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 24.5% of failed tests, with a broken coil spring next at 16.6%.
2016 cars pass 79.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 55.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 79.1% | 105,524 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 68.5% | 110,835 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 62.1% | 73,131 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.2% | 30,514 |
| Over 100,000 | 55.3% | 18,182 |
By fuel: petrol 69.5% (303,587 tests), diesel 61.5% (34,813 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2015 67.3% pass 371,961 tests
On a 2015 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 24.3% of failed tests, with a worn ball joint next at 13.2%.
2015 cars pass 80.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 54.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 80.1% | 86,570 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 69.6% | 111,376 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 62.2% | 93,086 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.2% | 49,479 |
| Over 100,000 | 54.3% | 31,082 |
By fuel: petrol 68.2% (328,793 tests), diesel 60.5% (43,168 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2014 64.8% pass 362,396 tests
On a 2014 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 23.4% of failed tests, with a worn ball joint next at 18.7%.
2014 cars pass 81% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 52.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 81% | 61,913 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 70% | 93,139 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 61.5% | 96,147 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 56% | 63,785 |
| Over 100,000 | 52.1% | 46,895 |
By fuel: petrol 66.1% (316,696 tests), diesel 55.8% (45,700 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2013 62.3% pass 332,822 tests
On a 2013 Ford Fiesta, a worn ball joint appears on 25.4% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 21.4%.
2013 cars pass 80.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 51.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 80.9% | 41,419 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 68.5% | 72,134 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 60.9% | 88,387 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 55.5% | 68,463 |
| Over 100,000 | 51.9% | 62,329 |
By fuel: petrol 63.6% (280,244 tests), diesel 55.3% (52,578 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2012 59.4% pass 291,542 tests
On a 2012 Ford Fiesta, a worn ball joint appears on 23% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 15%.
2012 cars pass 79.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 50.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 79.9% | 28,995 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 67.6% | 54,570 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 59% | 72,004 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 53.8% | 63,452 |
| Over 100,000 | 50.2% | 72,412 |
By fuel: petrol 60.3% (227,352 tests), diesel 56% (64,182 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2011 58.5% pass 249,891 tests
On a 2011 Ford Fiesta, a worn ball joint appears on 22% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 14%.
2011 cars pass 81.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 50.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 81.2% | 18,355 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 68.9% | 37,388 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 59.7% | 55,164 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 54.4% | 56,729 |
| Over 100,000 | 50.8% | 82,191 |
By fuel: petrol 59.2% (186,753 tests), diesel 56.6% (63,125 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2010 55.8% pass 254,570 tests
On a 2010 Ford Fiesta, a worn ball joint appears on 21.4% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 16.2%.
2010 cars pass 79.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 48.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 79.1% | 15,505 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 67.3% | 31,805 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 58.4% | 50,961 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 52.8% | 58,064 |
| Over 100,000 | 48.9% | 98,181 |
By fuel: petrol 57.2% (190,569 tests), diesel 51.8% (63,989 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2009 54.3% pass 270,016 tests
On a 2009 Ford Fiesta, a worn ball joint appears on 19.5% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 16.2%.
2009 cars pass 77.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 47.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 77.2% | 16,301 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 66.6% | 31,391 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 57.8% | 50,745 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 52.1% | 61,615 |
| Over 100,000 | 47.1% | 109,742 |
By fuel: petrol 55.5% (214,899 tests), diesel 49.6% (55,103 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2008 54.1% pass 165,520 tests
On a 2008 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 17.5% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 13.9%.
2008 cars pass 73.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 47.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 73.6% | 10,174 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 65.2% | 19,734 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 56.6% | 32,639 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 51.6% | 38,445 |
| Over 100,000 | 47.9% | 64,096 |
By fuel: petrol 54.5% (141,775 tests), diesel 51.8% (23,741 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2007 54.4% pass 152,829 tests
On a 2007 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 17.5% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 13.5%.
2007 cars pass 74.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 48.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 74.1% | 8,453 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 64.4% | 18,134 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 57.3% | 29,144 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 52.9% | 35,388 |
| Over 100,000 | 48.3% | 61,512 |
By fuel: petrol 54.6% (136,261 tests), diesel 53.1% (16,566 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2006 52.7% pass 124,002 tests
On a 2006 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 16.6% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 12.4%.
2006 cars pass 73.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 47% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 73.6% | 6,414 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 62.7% | 14,032 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 56.1% | 23,132 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 50.9% | 28,433 |
| Over 100,000 | 47% | 51,885 |
By fuel: petrol 53% (110,599 tests), diesel 50.8% (13,396 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2005 53.1% pass 73,817 tests
On a 2005 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 17% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 12.9%.
2005 cars pass 74.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 46.5% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 74.3% | 4,031 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 64.7% | 8,908 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 56.7% | 13,486 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 51.3% | 16,433 |
| Over 100,000 | 46.5% | 30,891 |
By fuel: petrol 53.4% (67,023 tests), diesel 50.5% (6,794 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2004 53.5% pass 60,738 tests
On a 2004 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 18% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 13.2%.
2004 cars pass 73.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 46.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 73.4% | 3,276 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 64.6% | 7,282 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 57.9% | 11,430 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 52% | 13,105 |
| Over 100,000 | 46.7% | 25,610 |
By fuel: petrol 53.8% (55,813 tests), diesel 50.2% (4,923 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2003 54.8% pass 45,943 tests
On a 2003 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 17.6% of failed tests, with corroded brake pipes next at 13.4%.
2003 cars pass 70.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 48.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 70.8% | 2,681 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 65.6% | 5,717 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 59% | 8,707 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 53.1% | 9,842 |
| Over 100,000 | 48.4% | 18,825 |
By fuel: petrol 54.8% (41,829 tests), diesel 54.6% (4,114 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2002 55.8% pass 21,946 tests
On a 2002 Ford Fiesta, a brake light not working appears on 15.1% of failed tests, with brakes uneven across an axle next at 11.8%.
2002 cars pass 67% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 49.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 67% | 1,877 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 62.7% | 3,707 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 59% | 4,680 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 52.6% | 4,680 |
| Over 100,000 | 49.3% | 6,918 |
By fuel: petrol 55.9% (20,254 tests), diesel 55.6% (1,692 tests).
Ford Fiesta 2001 55.4% pass 7,938 tests
On a 2001 Ford Fiesta, body mounting corroded at a mounting point appears on 25.2% of failed tests, with body mounting weakened at a mounting point next at 15.5%.
2001 cars pass 67.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 51.5% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 67.2% | 1,238 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 56.5% | 2,127 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 53.2% | 2,028 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 49.3% | 1,334 |
| Over 100,000 | 51.5% | 1,205 |
Ford Fiesta 2000 54.4% pass 4,535 tests
On a 2000 Ford Fiesta, body mounting corroded at a mounting point appears on 22.1% of failed tests, with body mounting weakened at a mounting point next at 14.8%.
2000 cars pass 67.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 51.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 67.7% | 764 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 57.2% | 1,145 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 48.7% | 1,153 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 48.3% | 741 |
| Over 100,000 | 51.7% | 729 |
Questions people ask
Is the Ford Fiesta reliable?
On MOT evidence the Ford Fiesta is below average. It passes 65.9% of tests against 71.7% for all cars, and trails cars of the same age by 3.9 points. 86.3% pass their first MOT at three years old. Figures from 4,134,382 DVSA tests.
What are the most common Ford Fiesta MOT failures?
A brake light not working (15.9% of failed tests), a worn ball joint (11.2%) and a broken coil spring (5.9%). Most lighting failures are a single dead bulb. Testers see them every day, and every one of them could have been fixed in a car park.
Which Ford Fiesta year is the most reliable?
Among years with a large sample, 2022 cars have the highest pass rate at 91.1% and 2006 cars the lowest at 52.7%. Newer years pass more because they are younger, so compare a specific car's year against the table above rather than against the overall figure.
What advisories does a Ford Fiesta usually get?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is the most frequent, noted on 16.9% of all Fiesta tests, then a damaged tyre sidewall (10.7%). An advisory passes the car today but marks the item most likely to fail next year.
How many miles a year does a Ford Fiesta do?
About 6,491 miles a year on average, calculated from the odometer readings recorded at consecutive MOTs. That is close to the UK average of roughly 7,400.
How do I check a particular Ford Fiesta?
The figures describe the whole fleet. For one car, enter its registration in the free MOT check to see its own test history, advisories and mileage, set against these averages for its year.
Checking a Fiesta before you buy?
Enter the registration to see its own MOT history, advisories and mileage set against these figures, including whether it has done more or fewer than the 6,491 miles a year typical of the model.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 to 2025. Class 4 cars, normal tests only; a pass after rectification counts as an initial failure. Age-adjusted figures compare the model's pass rate at each age with the national rate at the same age. Methodology.