Ford Fiesta (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 34,173 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,630

£136/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

998cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1,630/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol998cc6 years old34,173 tests30k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,630

Per month£136/mo

Per week£31/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Ford brand average of 85%.

91% of MOT tests on Ford Fiestas from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 34,173 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 29,611 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models1470th of 2,554(bottom half)

Rank among Ford models387th of 1,136(top half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2020 models average-1%(92% avg)

vs Ford average+6%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

29,611

Average miles

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 Ford Fiesta had 29,611 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2020 scores 91%. 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

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+1%

Vauxhall Corsa

2018 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

85%

-6%

Nissan Qashqai

2018 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

87%

-4%

Audi A3

2018 · 999cc Petrol

£1,630/year

92%

+1%

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About the 2020 Ford Fiesta

The 2020 Ford Fiesta is a city car. Our records list a 998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 34,173 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 29,611 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Fiesta owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2020 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 £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 2020 Ford Fiesta?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,630 (£136/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2020 Ford Fiesta

At 6 years old, the Ford Fiesta offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 34,173 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

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 2020 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(2020)	91%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853+£223
Vauxhall Corsa(2018)	85%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£373
Nissan Qashqai(2018)	87%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780+£150
Audi A3(2018)	92%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630same

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 2020 Ford Fiesta

Is the 2020 Ford Fiesta reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2020 Ford Fiestas ended in a pass, from 34,173 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 Ford Fiesta cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,630 a year (£136 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Ford Fiesta?

91% of 34,173 MOT tests on the 2020 Ford Fiesta ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1470th of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (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 2020 Ford Fiesta?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 Ford Fiesta is 29,611 miles, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.