At a Glance
The Ford Fiesta has 8 identified common problems across 7 generations, with the Mk6 (2008-2017) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 23.7M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Ford Fiesta common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Ford Fiesta generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Ford Fiesta Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
Mk2
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
Mk3
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
Mk4
Top issue: Spare wheel fault
Mk5
Top issue: Driver seat fault
Mk6
Top issue: Compression ignition emissions above threshold
Mk7
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
Most Common Ford Fiesta MOT Failures
Every reason Ford Fiesta vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.08% |
| 2 | Stop lamp not working | 7.79% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.96% |
| 4 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 6.50% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.10% |
| 6 | Tyre condition | 5.91% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.35% |
| 8 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.55% |
| 9 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.38% |
| 10 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.98% |
| 11 | Exhaust system fault | 2.95% |
| 12 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.67% |
| 13 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.49% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.40% |
| 15 | Driveshaft fault | 1.89% |
| 16 | Track rod end worn | 1.89% |
| 17 | Front lamp not working | 1.70% |
| 18 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.68% |
| 19 | Brake pads or linings worn | 1.64% |
| 20 | Position lamp not working | 1.60% |
| 21 | Headlamp fault | 1.46% |
| 22 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.46% |
| 23 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.41% |
| 24 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.23% |
| 25 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.21% |
| 26 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.20% |
| 27 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.82% |
| 28 | Rear suspension fault | 0.81% |
| 29 | Indicator fault | 0.79% |
| 30 | Rear lamp not working | 0.77% |
| 31 | Chassis condition | 0.70% |
| 32 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.59% |
| 33 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.58% |
| 34 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.56% |
| 35 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.54% |
| 36 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.52% |
| 37 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.51% |
| 38 | Steering rack fault | 0.46% |
| 39 | Fog lamp not working | 0.46% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.45% |
| 41 | Parking brake condition | 0.40% |
| 42 | Seat belt condition | 0.35% |
| 43 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.35% |
| 44 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.33% |
| 45 | Horn not working | 0.32% |
| 46 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.31% |
| 47 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.27% |
| 48 | ABS fault | 0.26% |
| 49 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.22% |
| 50 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.21% |
| 51 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.21% |
| 52 | Front suspension fault | 0.19% |
| 53 | Airbag warning light on | 0.18% |
| 54 | Electrical switch fault | 0.17% |
| 55 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.17% |
| 56 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.16% |
| 57 | Brake fluid leak | 0.13% |
| 58 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.12% |
| 59 | Brake pedal fault | 0.12% |
| 60 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.11% |
| 61 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.11% |
| 62 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.11% |
| 63 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.09% |
| 64 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.09% |
| 65 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.09% |
| 66 | Steering coupling worn | 0.08% |
| 67 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 68 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 69 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 72 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.06% |
| 73 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 74 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 76 | Spare wheel fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 78 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 81 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.04% |
| 82 | CV joint worn | 0.04% |
| 83 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 84 | Brake caliper fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 86 | Steering lock fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Steering arm worn | 0.04% |
| 88 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.04% |
| 89 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 92 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 94 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 96 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 99 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 103 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 104 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 105 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 106 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 108 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 110 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 111 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 114 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 117 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 118 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 120 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 122 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 127 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 128 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 133 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 134 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 135 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 140 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 154 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 158 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 161 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 162 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 168 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 170 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 171 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 175 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 178 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 184 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 185 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 186 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 193 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 194 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 195 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 196 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 198 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
Showing all 199 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Ford Fiesta MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Ford Fiesta, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Fiesta problems?
Based on analysis of 23.7M Ford Fiesta MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 8 identified common problems across 7 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Compression ignition emissions above threshold". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Ford Fiesta generation has the most problems?
The Ford Fiesta Mk6 (2008-2017) (2008–2017) has the highest number of identified common problems (5). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Ford Fiesta?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Ford Fiesta owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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