Used car guide

1992 Ford Fiesta: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1992 Ford Fiestas, from 172 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 172 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

172MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 1992 cars: 69%)
1,600typical miles a year
25%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1992 Ford Fiesta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    25% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    25% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    16% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    9% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,253Tyres 15%
202223,364Tyres 21%
202125,716Tyres 25%
202046,359Tyres 30%
201978,044Tyres 31%
201892,925Tyres 31%
201789,573Tyres 31%
2016112,893Suspension 34%
2015123,649Suspension 37%
2014120,179Suspension 42%
2013109,737Suspension 47%
201295,811Suspension 49%
201181,022Suspension 48%
201081,339Suspension 49%
200984,688Suspension 51%
200848,776Suspension 47%
200743,840Lights and electrics 48%
200634,565Suspension 49%
200520,046Suspension 51%
200416,219Suspension 50%
200312,089Brakes 49%
20025,742Suspension 46%
20012,014Suspension 54%
20001,174Suspension 55%
19991,179Suspension 54%
1998935Suspension 55%
1997430Suspension 53%
1996256Suspension 42%
1995251Brakes 33%
1994163Suspension 39%
1993131Suspension 34%
1991278Suspension 19%
1990174Lights and electrics 22%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1992 Ford Fiestas registered in 1992. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score