Used car guide

2002 Ford Fiesta: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Ford Fiestas, from 5,742 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,742MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
3,600typical miles a year
4.2×the usual rate for wheels

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Ford Fiestas than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Wheels4.2× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    5.5% All 2002 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

  • Brakes pulling to one side2.7× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    6.1% All 2002 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.7% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Brake lights1.6× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    9.4% All 2002 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 4.6% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint dust cover1.8× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    7.7% All 2002 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Steering swivel joints3.5× usual
    Ford Fiesta
    3.9% All 2002 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2002 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: 5.3% here, against 10.8% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Ford Fiesta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    44% 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
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Ford Fiesta?

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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%
20012,014Suspension 54%
20001,174Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Ford Fiestas registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score