2001 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,462 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Ford Fiesta, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 68.5% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 38.5% in the 150k+ group versus 20.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.3% | 4,530 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 2,991 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 2,334 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 2,255 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 1,524 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.5% | 1,523 |
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 | 4,076 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 2,471 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 1,770 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,388 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 1,305 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 1,194 |
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 | 42.8% | 10,043 |
| 2 | Brakes | 42.5% | 9,973 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.6% | 6,482 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 3,984 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.2% | 3,085 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.8% | 2,534 |
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 | 1,460 | 20.2% |
| 30-60k | 8,139 | 28.9% |
| 60-90k | 8,454 | 33.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,739 | 35.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,230 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 421 | 38.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 22,966 | 31.5% |
| Diesel | 496 | 33.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,534 | 32.1% |
| 2022 | 5,672 | 31.7% |
| 2023 | 4,420 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 3,299 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 2,537 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Fiesta
Before buying a 2001 Ford Fiesta, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 19.3% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (19.3% 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.
- Brakes (12.8% 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 (10.0% 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 2001 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 23,462 2001 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Ford Fiesta?
Suspension, recorded in 19.3% of tests, followed by brakes (12.8%).
Does the 2001 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.2% in the 0-30k band to 38.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,462 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.