2008 · 16 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2008 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate and common faults

54,848 MOT tests in 2024. 53.8% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time53.8%
Failed or needed repairs46.2%
Typical mileage at test91,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 54,848 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working8.1%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.5%
  4. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.7%
  5. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.6%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.0%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.9%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics35.8%
  2. Suspension22.6%
  3. Brakes17.4%
  4. Tyres9.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks8.2%
  7. Body & chassis8.0%
  8. Steering6.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.2%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.2%
  5. Road Wheels - condition: badly distorted10.3%

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: stop lamp: not working. 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 2008 Ford Fiesta?

In 2024, 53.8% of 2008 Ford Fiesta cars passed their MOT first time, across 54,848 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Ford Fiesta?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; position lamp: not working; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 Ford Fiesta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).