Ford Fiesta (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 6,234 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,674

£140/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Diesel

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1,674/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Diesel1499cc5 years old6,234 tests22k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1499cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,674

Per month£140/mo

Per week£32/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Ford brand average of 85%.

94% of MOT tests on Ford Fiestas from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 6,234 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 22,177 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1050th of 3,336(top half)

Rank among Ford models205th of 1,136(top 19%)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+2%(92% avg)

vs Ford average+9%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

22,177

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Ford Fiesta had 22,177 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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

Ford Focus

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-5%

Mercedes A

2019 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,674/year

91%

-3%

Ford Kuga

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,852/year

91%

-3%

Volkswagen Polo

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-5%

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About the 2021 Ford Fiesta

The 2021 Ford Fiesta is a small family car. Our records list a 1499cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 6,234 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 22,177 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Fiesta owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 Ford Fiesta Fuel Costs

The 1499cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 2021 Ford Fiesta?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,674 (£140/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% 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 2021 Ford Fiesta

At 5 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. With 6,234 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.

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

Medium risk

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

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Low risk

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

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 2021 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(2021)	94%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674
Ford Focus(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£150
Mercedes A(2019)	91%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674same
Ford Kuga(2019)	91%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852+£178
Volkswagen Polo(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£150

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 2021 Ford Fiesta

Is the 2021 Ford Fiesta reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2021 Ford Fiestas ended in a pass, from 6,234 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Ford Fiesta cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,674 a year (£140 a month): £1,219 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 2021 Ford Fiesta?

94% of 6,234 MOT tests on the 2021 Ford Fiesta ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1050th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 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 2021 Ford Fiesta?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Ford Fiesta is 22,177 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.