2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate and common faults

7,151 MOT tests in 2024. 55.4% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time55.4%
Failed or needed repairs44.6%
Typical mileage at test83,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 7,151 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working6.6%
  2. Service brake imbalance: across an axle5.0%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.1%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.5%
  5. Position lamp: not working3.3%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.1%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
    290 marked dangerous
  8. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.4%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics27.7%
  2. Suspension22.4%
  3. Brakes22.1%
  4. Emissions & leaks11.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.3%
  6. Body & chassis9.4%
  7. Tyres7.3%
  8. Steering4.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded23.4%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.0%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible10.6%

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: stop lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Ford Fiesta?

In 2024, 55.4% of 2002 Ford Fiesta cars passed their MOT first time, across 7,151 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Ford Fiesta?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; service brake imbalance: across an axle; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2002 Ford Fiesta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).