Used car guide · 1977–2026

Ford Fiesta common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Ford Fiesta, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 4,155,196 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1988 Ford Fiesta

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Ford Fiesta as a whole.

1,346on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 1988 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977

Generation guides: Ford Fiesta Mk7 (2008–2017) · Ford Fiesta Mk8 (2017–2023)

What usually goes wrong with a Ford Fiesta?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

    Cars registered 2012–2024 · 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

  • Coolant pipe that can split (early 1.0 EcoBoost)

    Cars registered 2012–2014 · Early 1.0 EcoBoost petrol

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

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

    Source: Parkers: Ford Focus Mk3 buying guide

  • PowerShift automatic gearbox

    Cars registered 2008–2023 · 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

  • Power steering belt recall

    Cars registered 2002–2007 · All engines

    The power steering drive belt could break up and snap, so the steering suddenly goes heavy. There was a recall to fit a new belt.

    At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done, and look at the belt for cracks.

    Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

  • Rear axle recall

    Cars registered 2002–2007 · Some cars

    Some cars were recalled because a weld on the rear axle wasn’t up to standard. The axle was replaced free.

    At the viewing: Ask whether the rear axle recall was done.

    Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

  • Sticky change into third gear

    Cars registered 2002–2007 · Manual gearbox

    Worn synchro rings make the change into third and fourth feel sticky. It’s a gearbox-out job for a specialist.

    At the viewing: Change up and down through third and fourth several times and feel for stiffness or crunching.

    Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

  • Air con that stops working

    Cars registered 2002–2007 · Cars with air con

    The air con can stop working, or the compressor runs all the time, usually because of a faulty pressure switch.

    At the viewing: Make sure the air con blows cold and switches off properly.

    Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

  • Grinding from the front

    Cars registered 2002–2007 · All engines

    A worn driveshaft centre bearing makes a grinding noise from under the front.

    At the viewing: Listen for grinding when turning and at speed.

    Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

Common Ford Fiesta MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Steering swivel joints

    up to 19.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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 lights

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Wheels

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

Diesel

  • Wheels

    up to 5.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2019 and 2020.

    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.

  • Steering swivel joints

    up to 34× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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 lights

    up to 6.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2022 Ford Fiesta did best (91% passed first time, 2 points above all 2022 cars) and the 2016 did worst (69%, 8 points below all 2016 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202392%92% +01,279
202291%89% +224,194
202188%87% +153,077
202085%87% -2138,826
201986%85% +1231,452
201884%83% +1275,560
201777%80% -3268,449
201669%77% -8339,835
201567%74% -7373,591
201465%70% -5364,190
201362%67% -5334,425
201259%64% -5293,149
201159%62% -3251,360
201056%60% -4256,215
200954%59% -5271,995
200854%57% -3166,878
200754%57% -3154,032
200653%56% -3125,159
200553%57% -474,517
200454%57% -361,285
200355%57% -246,363
200256%58% -222,152
200155%60% -58,018
200054%61% -74,564
199954%63% -94,618
199852%65% -133,710
199754%65% -111,676
199659%66% -7937
199566%67% -1805
199464%67% -3562
199363%68% -5423 (small sample)
199272%69% +3508
199179%71% +8881
199079%72% +7511

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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. Has the Ford fix for the coolant pipe on the 1.0 EcoBoost been done?
  3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the Ford Fiesta as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 19.5× as often on the Ford Fiesta as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the Ford Fiesta as on other cars the same age.)
  6. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score