1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate and common faults

1,468 MOT tests in 2024. 51.8% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

82Well below average
Passed first time51.8%
Failed or needed repairs48.2%
Typical mileage at test65,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,468 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength10.4%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.6%
  3. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements5.6%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.3%
  5. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced5.1%
  6. Service brake imbalance: across an axle5.0%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.3%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.3%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.3%
  10. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes37.3%
  2. Suspension37.3%
  3. Body & chassis19.3%
  4. Lights & electrics16.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.5%
  6. Tyres7.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks7.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags6.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn19.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.4%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.2%
  5. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength9.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 1998 FiestaAll Fiesta years2000 Fiesta →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Ford Fiesta?

In 2024, 51.8% of 1999 Ford Fiesta cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,468 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Ford Fiesta?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; service brake performance: efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1999 Ford Fiesta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 82, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).