Part of the Ford Fiesta Mk8 (2017–2023) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2023 Ford Fiesta: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Ford Fiesta first registered in 2023: we looked at the 1,253 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,253MOTs of 2023 cars, done in 2025
92%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
6,200typical miles a year
15%had tyres flagged

Common 2023 Ford Fiesta MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2023 Ford Fiesta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    15% 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.

  • Brakes
    4% 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
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2023 Ford Fiesta

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.

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

    1.0 petrol (EcoBoost and non-turbo)

    Ford’s 1.0 three-cylinder petrol uses a timing belt that runs in the engine oil on most cars. If oil changes are late or the wrong oil is used, the belt breaks down and sheds rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some later cars have a timing chain instead: a Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN. Ford’s change interval is 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the belt isn’t covered by warranty.

    At the viewing: Ask for a full service history with the right oil, and when the belt was changed. An oil-pressure warning light, a rattle or a rough idle are warning signs.

    Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

  • 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 2023 Ford Fiesta

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

  1. Has the timing belt been changed, and is there a full service history with the right oil?
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

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

Every year of the Ford Fiesta compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
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%
200848,776Lights and electrics 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%
1992172Suspension 25%
1991278Suspension 19%
1990174Lights and electrics 22%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Ford Fiesta cars first registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score