Ford Fiesta (2001)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 4,970 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,100

£175/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1200cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2,100/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1200cc25 years old4,970 tests73k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1200cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,100

Per month£175/mo

Per week£40/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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

68% of MOT tests on Ford Fiestas from 2001 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 23 years old. That's based on 4,970 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 72,535 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 models269th of 350(bottom 24%)

Rank among Ford models1064th of 1,136(bottom 7%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 2001 models average-5%(73% avg)

vs Ford average-17%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

72,535

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2001 Ford Fiesta had 72,535 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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?

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 2001 scores 68%. 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

MINI

2003 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

+4%

Ford Focus

2003 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

same

Volkswagen Polo

2003 · 1400cc Petrol

£2,353/year

67%

-1%

Toyota Yaris

2003 · 1299cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

+4%

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About the 2001 Ford Fiesta

The 2001 Ford Fiesta is a city car. Our records list a 1200cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 4,970 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 24% of 2001 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 72,535 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.

2001 Ford Fiesta Fuel Costs

The modest 1200cc 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 £1,175 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 2001 Ford Fiesta?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,100 (£175/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 2001 Ford Fiesta

At 25 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.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% 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 2001 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(2001)	68%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£2,100
MINI(2003)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£128
Ford Focus(2003)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£328
Volkswagen Polo(2003)	67%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353+£253
Toyota Yaris(2003)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£53

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 2001 Ford Fiesta

Is the 2001 Ford Fiesta reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 2001 Ford Fiestas ended in a pass, from 4,970 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2001 Ford Fiesta cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,100 a year (£175 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Ford Fiesta?

68% of 4,970 MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Fiesta ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 269th of 350 models first registered in 2001 (bottom 24%).

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 2001 Ford Fiesta?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Fiesta is 72,535 miles, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.