2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate and common faults

24,303 MOT tests in 2024. 52.7% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

93Below average
Passed first time52.7%
Failed or needed repairs47.3%
Typical mileage at test93,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 24,303 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working8.2%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.0%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.7%
  4. Position lamp: not working4.4%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.8%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  7. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.2%
  8. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.1%
  9. Headlamp aim: too low2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics32.5%
  2. Suspension27.3%
  3. Brakes20.4%
  4. Emissions & leaks10.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.4%
  6. Body & chassis9.2%
  7. Tyres8.6%
  8. Steering4.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded25.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.6%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened14.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.8%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.0%

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 2005 Ford Fiesta?

In 2024, 52.7% of 2005 Ford Fiesta cars passed their MOT first time, across 24,303 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Ford Fiesta?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Ford Fiesta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 93, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).