1994 · 30 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1994 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate and common faults

193 MOT tests in 2024. 65.8% passed first time, compared with 67.5% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time65.8%
Failed or needed repairs34.2%
Typical mileage at test49,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 193 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength9.8%
  2. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced4.1%
  3. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements3.6%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.1%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
  7. Service brake imbalance: across an axle2.6%
  8. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.6%
  9. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits2.1%
  10. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes20.7%
  2. Suspension18.7%
  3. Lights & electrics18.1%
  4. Emissions & leaks14.0%
  5. Body & chassis11.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.3%
  7. Seat belts & airbags4.1%
  8. Tyres4.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.6%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.0%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength8.8%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.8%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.3%

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: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. 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 1994 Ford Fiesta?

In 2024, 65.8% of 1994 Ford Fiesta cars passed their MOT first time, across 193 tests. The average for all 30-year-old cars was 67.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1994 Ford Fiesta?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced; service brake performance: efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1994 Ford Fiesta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).