Ford Fiesta (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,061 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,183

£182/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1242cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2,183/year to run. 11 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Ford Fiesta

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1242cc30 years old1,061 tests52k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1242cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,183

Per month£182/mo

Per week£42/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

71% of MOT tests on Ford Fiestas from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 1,061 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 51,823 miles.

Got a Ford Fiesta you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models168th of 243(bottom half)

Rank among Ford models999th of 1,136(bottom 13%)

vs average of all models-11%(82% avg)

vs 1996 models average-4%(75% avg)

vs Ford average-14%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

51,823

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Ford Fiesta had 51,823 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific Ford Fiesta?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1996 scores 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Mazda MX-5

1998 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,328/year

75%

+4%

Nissan Micra

1998 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,383/year

69%

-2%

Toyota Starlet

1998 · 1332cc Petrol

£2,183/year

75%

+4%

Honda Civic

1998 · 1396cc Petrol

£2,183/year

73%

+2%

Check a Specific Ford Fiesta

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1996 Ford Fiesta

The 1996 Ford Fiesta is a small family car. Our records list a 1242cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,061 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 51,823 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1996 Ford Fiesta Fuel Costs

The 1242cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 Ford Fiesta?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,183 (£182/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Ford Fiesta 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.

Buying a Used 1996 Ford Fiesta

At 30 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

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 1996 Ford Fiesta stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Ford Fiesta(1996)	71%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183
Mazda MX-5(1998)	75%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£145
Nissan Micra(1998)	69%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383+£200
Toyota Starlet(1998)	75%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183same
Honda Civic(1998)	73%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1996 Ford Fiesta

Is the 1996 Ford Fiesta reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 1996 Ford Fiestas ended in a pass, from 1,061 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1996 Ford Fiesta cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,183 a year (£182 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Ford Fiesta?

71% of 1,061 MOT tests on the 1996 Ford Fiesta ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 168th of 243 models first registered in 1996 (bottom half).

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% and the 1998 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1996 Ford Fiesta?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Ford Fiesta is 51,823 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.