1989 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
1,473 MOT tests on the 1989 Ford Fiesta are in this dataset, and 82.8% of them passed. That is 4.7 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 21.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.5%) and suspension (8.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 123 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 20.2% versus 13.2%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 19.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.7% in 2021 to 15.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 140 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.6% | 127 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.5% | 96 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 76 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 59 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 50 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 123 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 58 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 46 |
| 4 | Wheel bearings | 46 |
| 5 | Non catalyst emissions | 43 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 41 |
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 | 19.6% | 288 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.2% | 209 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 11.3% | 167 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 143 |
| 5 | Tyres | 8.8% | 129 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.0% | 89 |
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 | 295 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 551 | 17.1% |
| 60-90k | 494 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 124 | 20.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 345 | 19.7% |
| 2022 | 316 | 18.7% |
| 2023 | 287 | 15.3% |
| 2024 | 278 | 15.8% |
| 2025 | 247 | 15.4% |
What to check before buying a 1989 Fiesta
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.6% 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 (6.5% 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 1989 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
82.8% of the 1,473 1989 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Ford Fiesta?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.6%).
Does the 1989 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 20.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,473 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.