1994 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
1,377 MOT tests on the 1994 Ford Fiesta are in this dataset, and 72.9% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (26.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (11.7%) and brakes (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 174 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.6% versus 22.4%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.0% in 2021 to 25.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.7% | 161 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 160 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 134 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.4% | 129 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 124 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 74 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 174 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 148 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 96 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 72 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 66 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 54 |
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 | 30.1% | 414 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.7% | 381 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.2% | 265 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 246 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.9% | 123 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 114 |
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 | 286 | 22.4% |
| 30-60k | 584 | 26.9% |
| 60-90k | 436 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 70 | 28.6% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,342 | 27.4% |
| Diesel | 35 | 14.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 353 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 308 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 284 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 230 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 202 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 1994 Fiesta
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 11.7% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (11.7% 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 (11.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 1994 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 1,377 1994 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1994 Ford Fiesta?
Suspension, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by brakes (11.6%).
Does the 1994 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,377 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.