2017 Ford Fiesta diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Ford Fiesta diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Ford Fiesta diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Steering swivel joints34× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  6.8% All 2017 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0% of all 2017 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.

• Brake lights6.1× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  6.7% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

• Diesel smoke emissions51× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  5.1% All 2017 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 0.1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Coil springs2.7× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  5.6% All 2017 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.5% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Track rod ends3.3× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  4.6% All 2017 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.6% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

Common 2017 Ford Fiesta diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Ford Fiesta diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Suspension
  26% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  17% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  6% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2017 Ford Fiesta diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• PowerShift automatic gearbox

  Automatic versions only

  Automatic Fiestas with the PowerShift gearbox can give jerky changes, hesitate, or in bad cases lose drive. Repairs can be expensive.

  At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, pull away gently from a standstill several times and drive in slow traffic. Any judder, clunk or hesitation is a warning sign.

  Source: Bumper: Ford Fiesta reliability guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Ford Fiesta diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 34× as often on the 2017 Ford Fiesta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 6.1× as often on the 2017 Ford Fiesta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the diesel smoke emissions? (Flagged at MOT 51× as often on the 2017 Ford Fiesta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?