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FORD FIESTA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 79,485 MOT tests from 5,720 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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FORD FIESTA side viewFORD FIESTA (example)
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Check a Ford Fiesta before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Ford Fiesta side view
  • 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
N/AN/A875/999Excellent78,018 miles23,913 vehicles
N/AN/A740/999Very good91,244 miles2,924 vehicles
N/AN/A740/999Very good89,407 miles1,945 vehicles
N/AN/A737/999Very good90,109 miles3,223 vehicles
N/AN/A700/999Very good74,810 miles77,851 vehicles
N/AN/A659/999Good75,470 miles84,714 vehicles
N/AN/A656/999Good79,217 miles5,196 vehicles
N/AN/A626/999Good78,552 miles84,803 vehicles
N/AN/A617/999Good78,824 miles8,806 vehicles
N/AN/A561/999Above average80,881 miles719 vehicles
N/AN/A548/999Above average80,977 miles813 vehicles
N/AN/A537/999Above average76,817 miles2,515 vehicles
N/AN/A533/999Above average79,108 miles13,762 vehicles
N/AN/A529/999Above average83,964 miles680 vehicles
N/AN/A528/999Above average86,116 miles39,715 vehicles
N/AN/A514/999Above average76,898 miles4,489 vehicles
N/AN/A500/999Above average79,319 miles16,714 vehicles
N/AN/A496/999Average76,378 miles6,167 vehicles
N/AN/A479/999Average86,322 miles30,915 vehicles
N/AN/A473/999Average84,882 miles30,783 vehicles
N/AN/A463/999Average76,798 miles7,492 vehicles
N/AN/A450/999Average86,970 miles29,210 vehicles
N/AN/A447/999Average86,616 miles2,750 vehicles
N/AN/A442/999Average82,857 miles30,290 vehicles
N/AN/A438/999Average80,673 miles10,951 vehicles
N/AN/A429/999Average82,330 miles8,679 vehicles
N/AN/A427/999Average78,007 miles33,876 vehicles
N/AN/A426/999Average81,689 miles10,496 vehicles
N/AN/A418/999Average81,221 miles4,581 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD FIESTA?

Based on 79,485 MOT tests from 5,720 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

5,720

MOT tests

79,485

Pass rate

75.6%

Median mileage

80,706 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 630 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 14,960 advisory comments and 1,048 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 3,776 advisory comments and 824 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 2,072 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))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,022 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))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,833 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))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,593 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))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,417 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 1,271 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
2023465392.5%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2022499189%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20215118787.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20209039486.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019192112886.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018280197983.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017335292180.4%Tyre wear, Suspension bush issues
2016455461475.9%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2015544620076.1%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2014488620176.7%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013492694875.6%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2012503764176.4%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2011418698775.2%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2010436795973.9%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009450885272.8%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008190386774.2%Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007183389774.7%Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006121266075.2%Tyre wear, Corrosion
200551119673.3%Tyre wear, Corrosion
200453131673.9%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20032564172.9%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20021535474.3%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20012045776.4%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20001021576.3%Corrosion, Suspension bush issues
1999714370.6%Corrosion, Tyre wear
1998816371.8%Corrosion, Suspension arm issues
199279774.2%Corrosion, Suspension arm issues
1990128672.1%Corrosion, Emissions test issues
1989915182.8%Corrosion, Tyre wear
19881010366%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.

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

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

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

  • 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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