How much does a 1997 FORD FIESTA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,057 (£171/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 FORD FIESTA?

The 1997 FORD FIESTA has a 66% MOT pass rate based on 1,926 tests in 2026. This ranks 288 out of 320 cars from 1997.

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 (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 FORD FIESTA?

The average mileage for a 1997 FORD FIESTA is 57,252 miles, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 1,926 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

66%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1753cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

66% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 16 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.

Diesel1753cc29 years old1,926 tests57k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1753cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1753cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,057

Per month£171/mo

Per week£40/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this FORD FIESTA

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

66% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 16 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 29 years old, 66% of FORD FIESTAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,926 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 57,252 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 1997 cars288th of 320(top 90%)

Rank among FORD models1119th of 1,167(top 96%)

vs national average-16%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-9%(75% avg)

vs FORD average-19%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

57,252

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 FORD FIESTA has 57,252 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1997 sits between the two at 66%.

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

FIAT DUCATO

1999 · 1905cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

+6%

MERCEDES C

1997 · 2155cc Diesel

£1,900/year

81%

+15%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

1998 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

71%

+5%

FORD MONDEO

1999 · 1753cc Diesel

£1,727/year

71%

+5%

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 1997 FORD FIESTA

The 1997 FORD FIESTA is a family car with a 1753cc diesel engine. 1,926 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 90% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 57,252 miles at 29 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.

1997 FORD FIESTA Fuel Costs

The 1753cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1997 FORD FIESTA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 (£171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 66% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 1997 FORD FIESTA

At 29 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 1997 FORD FIESTA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 66% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1997 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(1997)	66%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£2057
FIAT DUCATO(1999)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£330
MERCEDES C(1997)	81%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£1900-£157
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(1998)	71%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£330
FORD MONDEO(1999)	71%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£330

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.