1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate and common faults

1,207 MOT tests in 2024. 51.9% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

80Well below average
Passed first time51.9%
Failed or needed repairs48.1%
Typical mileage at test57,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,207 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength10.1%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.4%
  3. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements7.0%
  4. Service brake imbalance: across an axle6.9%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.0%
  6. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced5.6%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.1%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.6%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.5%
  10. Stop lamp: not working2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes39.9%
  2. Suspension35.4%
  3. Body & chassis22.7%
  4. Lights & electrics18.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.1%
  6. Emissions & leaks8.5%
  7. Seat belts & airbags6.6%
  8. Tyres6.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded19.1%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn18.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.3%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.6%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.3%

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 1998 Ford Fiesta?

In 2024, 51.9% of 1998 Ford Fiesta cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,207 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Ford Fiesta?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; service brake performance: efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1998 Ford Fiesta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 80, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).