Used car guide

2001 Ford Fiesta: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Ford Fiestas, from 2,014 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,014MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
2,700typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Ford Fiestas than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.2× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    23.8% All 2001 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Flexible brake hoses3× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    18% All 2001 cars
    6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.9% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.4× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    18.8% All 2001 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.3%, against 4.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Rust in key structural areas4.4× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    8.3% All 2001 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 1.3% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Steering swivel joints5.7× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    5.7% All 2001 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Headlights: 2.5% here, against 9.1% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Ford Fiesta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    46% 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    21% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023929Tyres 14%
202221,386Tyres 21%
202121,189Tyres 25%
202042,319Tyres 30%
201977,999Tyres 31%
201892,925Tyres 31%
201789,572Tyres 31%
2016112,892Suspension 34%
2015123,648Suspension 36%
2014120,179Suspension 42%
2013109,735Suspension 47%
201295,811Suspension 49%
201181,022Suspension 48%
201081,339Suspension 49%
200984,688Suspension 51%
200848,776Lights and electrics 47%
200743,840Lights and electrics 48%
200634,565Suspension 49%
200520,046Suspension 51%
200416,219Suspension 50%
200312,089Brakes 49%
20025,742Suspension 46%
20001,174Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Ford Fiestas registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score