Ford Fiesta

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 33 model years from 2,484,327 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

76%

Total Tests

2,484,327

Highest Pass Rate

2021 (94%)

Years Covered

About the Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta was MOT tested 2,484,327 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 33 model years (1990 to 2022), with an average pass rate of 76%. That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Our records list petrol and diesel versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 94% from 6,234 tests. The 1998 model has the lowest at 65%. With a 29 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Ford Fiestas pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 8 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 53,299 miles, while the newest (2022) averages 18,726 miles.

Compared to the Ford brand average of 85%, the Fiesta is 9 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Ford models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1496cc)

£1,401

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,856

Per month£155/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.88p petrol and 199.52p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 5 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2022 details

How reliable is the Ford Fiesta?

vs average of all models-6% (82% avg)

vs Ford brand average-9% (85% avg)

Best to worst year spread29 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Ford Fiesta by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	93%	404	18,726 mi
2021	94%	6,234	22,177 mi
2020	91%	34,173	29,611 mi
2019	91%	124,950	34,738 mi
2018	90%	157,746	42,265 mi
2017	85%	154,616	48,995 mi
2016	81%	205,128	56,940 mi
2015	81%	225,575	63,696 mi
2014	79%	224,536	71,010 mi
2013	77%	211,536	77,629 mi
2012	75%	185,847	83,104 mi
2011	75%	161,778	90,389 mi
2010	73%	165,879	95,140 mi
2009	72%	180,029	96,775 mi
2008	72%	109,443	95,143 mi
2007	72%	99,442	96,164 mi
2006	70%	81,463	97,129 mi
2005	70%	48,429	97,715 mi
2004	71%	39,183	97,910 mi
2003	71%	29,898	96,816 mi
2002	70%	14,118	88,471 mi
2001	68%	4,970	72,535 mi
2000	67%	2,809	71,739 mi
1999	67%	4,854	66,066 mi
1998	65%	4,382	56,318 mi
1997	66%	1,926	57,252 mi
1996	71%	1,061	51,823 mi
1995	74%	859	53,478 mi
1994	77%	616	50,884 mi
1993	69%	565	50,329 mi
1992	76%	545	53,988 mi
1991	84%	854	51,137 mi
1990	83%	479	53,299 mi

Questions about the Ford Fiesta

Is the Ford Fiesta reliable?

Across its 33 model years in our data (1990 to 2022), the Ford Fiesta averages a 76% MOT pass rate, from 2,484,327 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2021 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 94%.

Which year Ford Fiesta has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Ford Fiesta has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 65%, a 29 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.