1982 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 581 MOT tests, the 1982 Ford Fiesta recorded an 88.3% pass rate. That is 2.5 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 14.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.9%) and brakes (6.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 28 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1982 Fiesta fails 11.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 15.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 40 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.9% | 40 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.3% | 25 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 20 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 16 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 28 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 26 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 19 |
| 4 | Washers | 15 |
| 5 | Non catalyst emissions | 15 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.5% | 90 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 59 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 59 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 40 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.4% | 20 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.1% | 18 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 153 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 198 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 178 | 13.5% |
| 90-120k | 48 | 8.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 175 | 12.6% |
| 2022 | 180 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 107 | 10.3% |
| 2024 | 65 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 54 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 1982 Fiesta
On a 1982 Fiesta, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (4.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1982 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
88.3% of the 581 1982 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1982 Ford Fiesta?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by brakes (6.9%).
Does the 1982 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 8.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 581 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.