2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate and common faults

19,998 MOT tests in 2024. 52.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

94Below average
Passed first time52.9%
Failed or needed repairs47.1%
Typical mileage at test93,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 19,998 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working8.5%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.0%
  3. Position lamp: not working4.4%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.1%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.0%
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.8%
  7. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.8%
  8. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.8%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
    812 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.3%
  2. Suspension23.5%
  3. Brakes20.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks13.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)11.0%
  6. Tyres8.6%
  7. Body & chassis8.1%
  8. Steering5.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded27.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.6%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened15.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.9%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.9%

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 2004 Ford Fiesta?

In 2024, 52.9% of 2004 Ford Fiesta cars passed their MOT first time, across 19,998 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Ford Fiesta?

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

Is the 2004 Ford Fiesta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 94, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).