Is the 2018 FORD FIESTA reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of FORD FIESTAs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 157,746 tests. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2018 FORD FIESTA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), including £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 FORD FIESTA?

The 2018 FORD FIESTA has a 90% MOT pass rate based on 157,746 tests in 2026. This ranks 316 out of 649 cars from 2018.

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 (2018)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2018 FORD FIESTA?

The average mileage for a 2018 FORD FIESTA is 42,265 miles, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 157,746 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,405

£117/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Petrol998cc8 years old157,746 tests42k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£955

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,405

Per month£117/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

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 8 years old, 90% of FORD FIESTAs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 157,746 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 42,265 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars316th of 649(top 49%)

Rank among FORD models424th of 1,167(top 36%)

vs national average+8%(82% avg)

vs 2018 cars average+1%(89% avg)

vs FORD average+5%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

42,265

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 FORD FIESTA has 42,265 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2018 sits between the two at 90%.

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

VAUXHALL CORSA

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,572/year

81%

-9%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

86%

-4%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2016 · 999cc Petrol

£1,390/year

85%

-5%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2016 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,390/year

84%

-6%

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About the 2018 FORD FIESTA

The 2018 FORD FIESTA is a city car with a 998cc petrol engine. 157,746 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 42,265 miles at 8 years old, FORD FIESTA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 FORD FIESTA Fuel Costs

The modest 998cc 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 2018 FORD FIESTA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2018 FORD FIESTA

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 157,746 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 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(2018)	90%	£955	£195	Grp 1-8	£1405
VAUXHALL CORSA(2016)	81%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572+£167
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)	86%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550+£145
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2016)	85%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390-£15
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2016)	84%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£15

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.