How much does a 1991 FORD FIESTA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,380 (£115/month), including £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 FORD FIESTA?

The 1991 FORD FIESTA has a 84% MOT pass rate based on 854 tests in 2026. This ranks 62 out of 179 cars from 1991.

Which year FORD FIESTA is most reliable?

The 2021 FORD FIESTA has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 65%.

FORD FIESTA (1991)

Q: Is the 1991 FORD FIESTA reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 84% of FORD FIESTAs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 854 tests. That's 2 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1991 FORD FIESTA?

The average mileage for a 1991 FORD FIESTA is 51,137 miles, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 854 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,380

£115/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £1380/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol999cc35 years old854 tests51k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£955

Road Tax

Based on 999cc

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,380

Per month£115/mo

Per week£27/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

84% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 35 years old, 84% of FORD FIESTAs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 854 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 51,137 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars62th of 179(top 35%)

Rank among FORD models708th of 1,167(top 61%)

vs national average+2%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average+6%(78% avg)

vs FORD average-1%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

51,137

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 FORD FIESTA has 51,137 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1991 sits between the two at 84%.

FORD FIESTA by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

ROVER MINI

1990 · 998cc Petrol

£1,390/year

80%

-4%

PEUGEOT 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

-4%

NISSAN FIGARO

1991 · 980cc Petrol

£1,540/year

79%

-5%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

1993 · 1272cc Petrol

£1,922/year

69%

-15%

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About the 1991 FORD FIESTA

The 1991 FORD FIESTA is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 854 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1991, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 51,137 miles at 35 years old, FORD FIESTA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 FORD FIESTA Fuel Costs

The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 FORD FIESTA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,380 (£115/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 84% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD FIESTA Reliability Trend

Newer FORD FIESTAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1991 FORD FIESTA

At 35 years old, the FORD FIESTA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 FORD FIESTA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 FORD FIESTA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD FIESTA(1991)	84%	£955	£20	Grp 1-8	£1380
ROVER MINI(1990)	80%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390+£10
PEUGEOT 205(1990)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572+£192
NISSAN FIGARO(1991)	79%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1540+£160
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(1993)	69%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1922+£542

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.