Used car guide · 2008–2017

Ford Fiesta Mk7: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Ford Fiesta Mk7 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 2,920,087 MOT tests.

2011best year: 59% pass first time, 3 points below all 2011 cars
2016weakest year: 69% pass first time, 8 points below all 2016 cars
Steering swivel jointsthe weak spot that shows up in 8 different years

Which Ford Fiesta Mk7 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Ford Fiesta Mk7, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2008: 54% pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%) 54% 2008*2009: 54% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%) 54% 20092010: 56% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%) 56% 20102011: 59% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%) 59% 20112012: 59% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) 59% 20122013: 62% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%) 62% 20132014: 65% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%) 65% 20142015: 67% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%) 67% 20152016: 69% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%) 69% 20162017: 77% pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%) 77% 2017*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2008*54%57% -3Rigid brake pipes 2.6× usual166,878
200954%59% -5Ball joint 2.4× usual271,995
201056%60% -4Ball joint 2.5× usual256,215
201159%62% -3Ball joint 2.6× usual251,360
201259%64% -5Ball joint 3× usual293,149
201362%67% -5Ball joint 3.5× usual334,425
201465%70% -5Steering swivel joints 14.2× usual364,190
201567%74% -7Steering swivel joints 16.4× usual373,591
201669%77% -8Steering swivel joints 19.5× usual339,835
2017*77%80% -3Steering swivel joints 17.7× usual268,449

Common Ford Fiesta Mk7 MOT failures, year after year

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Steering swivel jointsup to 19.5× usual

    Stands out in 8 years: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009.

    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.

  • Ball jointup to 3.5× usual

    Stands out in 8 years: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009.

    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.

  • Coil springsup to 2.8× usual

    Stands out in 7 years: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    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.

  • Brake lightsup to 5.1× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2009.

    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.

  • Track rod endsup to 2.3× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009.

    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.

  • Wheelsup to 4.4× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2011, 2010, 2009.

    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.

What usually goes wrong with the Ford Fiesta Mk7?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • PowerShift automatic gearbox

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

    Check: 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

  • Coolant pipe that can split (early 1.0 EcoBoost)

    On early 1.0 EcoBoost engines a small plastic coolant pipe could split. The leak can overheat the engine badly. Ford issued a fix.

    Check: Ask whether the coolant pipe fix was done, and check the coolant level is between the marks.

    Source: Parkers: Ford Focus Mk3 buying guide

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

    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.

    Check: 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

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

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