2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate and common faults

96,471 MOT tests in 2024. 58.8% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time58.8%
Failed or needed repairs41.2%
Typical mileage at test77,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 96,471 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn9.1%
  2. Stop lamp: not working6.2%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play5.1%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.3%
  5. Position lamp: not working3.3%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.2%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    4,100 marked dangerous
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.4%
    3,073 marked dangerous
  9. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics25.6%
  2. Suspension21.3%
  3. Tyres10.3%
  4. Brakes6.4%
  5. Steering6.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.8%
  8. Body & chassis5.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.0%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.2%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.5%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.1%

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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Ford Fiesta?

In 2024, 58.8% of 2012 Ford Fiesta cars passed their MOT first time, across 96,471 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Ford Fiesta?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; stop lamp: not working; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Ford Fiesta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).