Is the 2021 FORD FIESTA reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of FORD FIESTAs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 6,234 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 FORD FIESTA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,355 (£113/month), including £905 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 FORD FIESTA?

The 2021 FORD FIESTA has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 6,234 tests in 2026. This ranks 1076 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

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 (2021)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2021 FORD FIESTA?

The average mileage for a 2021 FORD FIESTA is 22,177 miles, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 6,234 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,355

£113/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Diesel

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1355/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

£905

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,355

Per month£113/mo

Per week£26/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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 5 years old, 94% of FORD FIESTAs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 6,234 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 22,177 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars1076th of 3,373(top 32%)

Rank among FORD models206th of 1,167(top 18%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

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

vs FORD average+9%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

22,177

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 FORD FIESTA has 22,177 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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

£1,500/year

89%

-5%

MERCEDES A

2019 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,350/year

91%

-3%

FORD KUGA

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,482/year

91%

-3%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-5%

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About the 2021 FORD FIESTA

The 2021 FORD FIESTA is a small family car with a 1499cc diesel engine. 6,234 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 22,177 miles at 5 years old, FORD FIESTA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

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 £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 £1,355 (£113/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £195 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

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

Based on the 2021 FORD FIESTA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD FIESTA(2021)	94%	£905	£195	Grp 12-25	£1355
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£145
MERCEDES A(2019)	91%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1350-£5
FORD KUGA(2019)	91%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1482+£127
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£145

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.