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FORD FIESTA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 89,684 MOT tests from 6,494 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every FORD FIESTA has the same fault.

FORD FIESTA's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 551/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FORD FIESTA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the FORD FIESTA.

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Check the reliability of your Ford Fiesta

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

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  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Petrol2020875/999Excellent78,018 miles23,913 vehicles
Diesel2018656/999Good79,217 miles5,196 vehicles
Petrol2017700/999Very good74,810 miles77,851 vehicles
Diesel2015617/999Good78,824 miles8,806 vehicles
Diesel2014533/999Above average79,108 miles13,762 vehicles
Petrol2014659/999Good75,470 miles84,714 vehicles
Petrol2013626/999Good78,552 miles84,803 vehicles
Diesel2012500/999Above average79,319 miles16,714 vehicles
Diesel2011438/999Average80,673 miles10,951 vehicles
Petrol2011528/999Above average86,116 miles39,715 vehicles
Diesel2009426/999Average81,689 miles10,496 vehicles
Petrol2009479/999Average86,322 miles30,915 vehicles
Diesel2007429/999Average82,330 miles8,679 vehicles
Petrol2007473/999Average84,882 miles30,783 vehicles
Petrol2005450/999Average86,970 miles29,210 vehicles
Diesel2004418/999Average81,221 miles4,581 vehicles
Petrol2003442/999Average82,857 miles30,290 vehicles
Diesel2002447/999Average86,616 miles2,750 vehicles
Petrol2000427/999Average78,007 miles33,876 vehicles
Diesel1999529/999Above average83,964 miles680 vehicles
Petrol1999463/999Average76,798 miles7,492 vehicles
Petrol1998496/999Average76,378 miles6,167 vehicles
Petrol1997514/999Above average76,898 miles4,489 vehicles
Diesel1996548/999Above average80,977 miles813 vehicles
Petrol1996537/999Above average76,817 miles2,515 vehicles
Diesel1995561/999Above average80,881 miles719 vehicles
Petrol1987740/999Very good89,407 miles1,945 vehicles
Petrol1985740/999Very good91,244 miles2,924 vehicles
Petrol1983737/999Very good90,109 miles3,223 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD FIESTA?

Based on 89,684 MOT tests from 6,494 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

6,494

MOT tests

89,684

Pass rate

75.6%

Median mileage

80,276 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FORD FIESTA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 631 out of 999.

Common FORD FIESTA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 16,867 advisory comments and 1,198 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 4,174 advisory comments and 932 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 2,377 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 2,217 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 2,070 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,888 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE STOP LAMP(S) NOT WORKING (4.3.1 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,627 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,451 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: REAR REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

FORD FIESTA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2023586590.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20225610490.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20216122087.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
202010345685.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019229133085.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018326231683.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017390338680.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016517524476%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2015622707176%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2014568716077%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013567800175.6%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2012557850976.1%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2011471786375.2%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2010478874873.8%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20095081002472.8%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008204415874.3%Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007202433574.5%Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006139307674.9%Tyre wear, Corrosion
200554126473.7%Tyre wear, Corrosion
200461151374.6%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20032769273%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20021842775.2%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20012148376.6%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20001021576.3%Corrosion, Suspension bush issues
1999714370.6%Corrosion, Tyre wear
1998918470.7%Corrosion, Suspension arm issues
199554969.4%Corrosion, Parking brake faults
199456875%Corrosion, Tyre wear
199289774.2%Corrosion, Suspension arm issues
199153992.3%Corrosion
1990128672.1%Corrosion, Emissions test issues
19891017283.1%Corrosion, Tyre wear
19881113167.2%Corrosion, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used FORD FIESTA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Buying a FORD FIESTA?

Common problems tell you what can affect FORD FIESTAs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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