1992 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
1,094 MOT tests on the 1992 Ford Fiesta are in this dataset, and 78.4% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 24.6% of the time, so this is 3.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.8%) and suspension (9.7%) 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, prescribed areas and service brake imbalance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 109 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.7% versus 15.9%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 24.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 107 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.7% | 106 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 91 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 68 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 65 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 45 |
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 | 109 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 67 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 50 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 49 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 48 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 47 |
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 | 24.0% | 263 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.2% | 221 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.6% | 171 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 145 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 118 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.5% | 93 |
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 | 226 | 15.9% |
| 30-60k | 401 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 362 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 92 | 21.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 254 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 232 | 22.0% |
| 2023 | 207 | 21.3% |
| 2024 | 205 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 196 | 21.4% |
What to check before buying a 1992 Fiesta
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.7% 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 (8.3% 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 1992 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
78.4% of the 1,094 1992 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Ford Fiesta?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.8% of tests, followed by suspension (9.7%).
Does the 1992 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.9% in the 0-30k band to 21.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,094 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.