Ford Fiesta: what fails at MOT
1.9 million MOT tests on the Ford Fiesta in 2024, counted. 33.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
33.1% of Ford Fiesta tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.2%, so the Fiesta does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (11.1% of tests), suspension (8.5% of tests) and tyres (5.5% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 41,110 | 12.4% | 10.9% | 19,300 12,800 to 27,200 |
| 2020 | 71,650 | 12.6% | 11.5% | 25,200 17,200 to 35,900 |
| 2019 | 113,175 | 13.4% | 13.4% | 31,700 22,000 to 43,000 |
| 2018 | 133,619 | 15.2% | 15.6% | 39,400 27,900 to 52,500 |
| 2017 | 125,963 | 22.9% | 18.2% | 44,900 31,900 to 59,800 |
| 2016 | 159,338 | 30.4% | 21.3% | 52,700 37,700 to 69,600 |
| 2015 | 173,897 | 31.7% | 24.4% | 59,600 43,000 to 77,700 |
| 2014 | 169,445 | 34.1% | 27.7% | 66,700 48,600 to 86,100 |
| 2013 | 154,869 | 36.8% | 30.6% | 73,500 54,300 to 93,900 |
| 2012 | 131,974 | 40.0% | 33.4% | 78,300 58,000 to 100,700 |
| 2011 | 114,925 | 41.0% | 36.1% | 86,300 64,200 to 109,600 |
| 2010 | 116,278 | 43.5% | 38.6% | 91,200 68,400 to 115,600 |
| 2009 | 125,812 | 45.0% | 39.8% | 93,800 70,700 to 117,300 |
| 2008 | 77,776 | 45.8% | 41.5% | 92,700 70,200 to 115,800 |
| 2007 | 71,603 | 45.4% | 41.5% | 93,600 70,800 to 117,200 |
| 2006 | 58,082 | 47.1% | 42.4% | 94,800 71,600 to 117,700 |
| 2005 | 34,461 | 48.1% | 42.2% | 94,900 70,600 to 119,400 |
| 2004 | 28,374 | 47.6% | 42.3% | 94,700 70,600 to 119,700 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Ford Fiesta tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Fiesta | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.1% | 7.8% | More than most |
| Suspension | 8.5% | 6.5% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.5% | 4.4% | |
| Brakes | 3.6% | 4.7% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.3% | 3.1% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.7% | 2.2% | |
| Steering | 2.5% | 1.4% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 2.3% | 2.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake light4.4%
- Ball joint3.7%
- Tyre3.5%
- Headlamp aim2.7%
- Headlamp2.2%
- Track rod end2.2%
- Side light2.1%
- Tyre tread1.9%
- Washers1.8%
- Coil spring1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake light: not working4.2%
- Ball joint: excessively worn3.5%
- Side light: not working2.0%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.6%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.5%
- Headlamp aim: too low1.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.5%
- Coil spring: corroded5.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.3%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.2%
- Swivel pins and bushes: swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn3.1%
- Wheel: slightly distorted2.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Ford Fiesta's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.