Used car guide

1993 Ford Fiesta: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1993 Ford Fiestas, from 131 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 131 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

131MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 1993 cars: 69%)
1,700typical miles a year
34%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1993 Ford Fiesta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    34% 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.

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% 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.

  • Tyres
    18% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    11% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Ford Fiesta?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
1992172Brakes 25%
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 1993 Ford Fiestas registered in 1993. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score