Comparison · small hatchbacks

Ford Fiesta vs Honda Jazz: which is more reliable?

The Honda Jazz does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 94 for the Ford Fiesta, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,689,899 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Fiesta

94Below average
MOT tests1,360,577

Honda Jazz

109Well above average
MOT tests329,322

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord FiestaHonda Jazz
3–5 years
100About average
107Above average
6–9 years
94Below average
112Well above average
10–14 years
93Below average
118Well above average
15+ years
94Below average
100About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord FiestaHonda Jazz
202186.6%93.4%
202086.7%92.4%
201985.8%91.6%
201884.1%89.4%
201776.4%88.5%
201668.7%87.8%
201567.3%85.0%
201464.7%82.1%
201361.9%80.1%
201258.8%76.6%
201158.1%74.4%
201055.4%68.8%
200954.0%65.8%
200853.8%57.0%
200754.2%55.5%
200652.6%55.0%
200552.7%53.7%
200452.9%53.6%
200354.1%53.8%
200255.4%53.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord FiestaHonda Jazz
Lights & electrics22.114.6
Suspension15.38.3
Brakes7.713.2
Tyres9.05.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.25.7
Emissions & leaks5.23.8
Body & chassis3.92.6
Steering3.90.8

Ford Fiesta: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working5.8%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.5%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.7%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.8%
  6. Position lamp: not working1.8%

Honda Jazz: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.1%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.2%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Fiesta or the Honda Jazz?

The Honda Jazz does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 94 for the Ford Fiesta, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Fiesta and Honda Jazz can be compared?

Both were tested for 20 registration years (2002–2021). The Ford Fiesta had the higher pass rate in 2 of them and the Honda Jazz in 18.

What fails most on each?

Ford Fiesta: stop lamp: not working; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Honda Jazz: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.