FORD FIESTA (2020)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 34,173 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
91%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
998cc Petrol
Great Choice
91% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 9 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the FORD brand average of 85%.
At 6 years old, 91% of FORD FIESTAs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 34,173 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 29,611 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
29,611
Average miles
44,400
Expected for age
The average 2020 FORD FIESTA has 29,611 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-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 2020 sits between the two at 91%.
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
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About the 2020 FORD FIESTA
The 2020 FORD FIESTA is a city car with a 998cc petrol engine. 34,173 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 29,611 miles at 6 years old, FORD FIESTA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
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 £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 2020 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 91% 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 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
Based on the 2020 FORD FIESTA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORD FIESTA(2020) | 91% | £955 | £195 | Grp 1-8 | £1405 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582+£177 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2018) | 85% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£327 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2018) | 87% | £955 | £190 | Grp 5-15 | £1550+£145 |
| AUDI A3(2018) | 92% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1400-£5 |
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.
Related Ford Models
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