1984 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 329 MOT tests, the 1984 Ford Fiesta recorded an 89.4% pass rate. That is 6.7 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 17.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.5% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 22 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1984 Fiesta fails 9.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 13.1% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 16.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 28 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.6% | 15 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.3% | 14 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 11 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 9 |
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 | 22 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 18 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 10 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 9 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 9 |
| 6 | Non catalyst emissions | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 16.7% | 55 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 50 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 38 |
| 4 | Tyres | 9.7% | 32 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 32 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.2% | 17 |
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 | 85 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 128 | 10.2% |
| 60-90k | 99 | 13.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 74 | 13.5% |
| 2022 | 77 | 7.8% |
| 2023 | 72 | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 72 | 11.1% |
| 2025 | 34 | 14.7% |
What to check before buying a 1984 Fiesta
On a 1984 Fiesta, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.6% 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.
- Brakes (4.3% 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.
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 1984 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
89.4% of the 329 1984 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1984 Ford Fiesta?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by suspension (4.6%).
Does the 1984 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 13.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 329 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.