2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate and common faults

89,701 MOT tests in 2024. 54.0% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

93Below average
Passed first time54.0%
Failed or needed repairs46.0%
Typical mileage at test92,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 89,701 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn8.7%
  2. Position lamp: not working5.2%
  3. Stop lamp: not working5.0%
  4. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.5%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.0%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.4%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
    4,383 marked dangerous
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.9%
    3,505 marked dangerous
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.8%
  10. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics34.4%
  2. Suspension26.0%
  3. Tyres11.8%
  4. Brakes11.4%
  5. Body & chassis7.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.0%
  7. Emissions & leaks6.5%
  8. Steering6.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.3%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.6%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.3%
  5. Road Wheels - condition: badly distorted8.3%

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: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2008 FiestaAll Fiesta years2010 Fiesta →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Ford Fiesta?

In 2024, 54.0% of 2009 Ford Fiesta cars passed their MOT first time, across 89,701 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Ford Fiesta?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; position lamp: not working; stop lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 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).