2002 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
62,771 MOT tests on the 2002 Ford Fiesta are in this dataset, and 71.5% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 29.4%, so the 2002 Fiesta sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.0%) and suspension (13.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, rigid brake pipes and component mounting prescribed areas — stop lamp alone was recorded 3,884 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.0% versus 20.9%.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 28.4% of the time against 28.5% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.1% in 2021 to 27.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 9,408 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.4% | 8,433 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.0% | 7,517 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.0% | 4,374 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 3,710 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 3,611 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 3,884 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 3,667 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 3,299 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 3,148 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 3,064 |
| 6 | Wipers | 3,047 |
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 | 36.9% | 23,153 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.6% | 21,732 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.1% | 17,650 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.2% | 12,649 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.0% | 11,285 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 7,300 |
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 | 1,951 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 13,124 | 23.8% |
| 60-90k | 20,425 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 16,768 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 7,090 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 3,002 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 57,711 | 28.5% |
| Diesel | 5,060 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,943 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 15,156 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 12,007 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 9,316 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 7,349 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Fiesta
On a 2002 Fiesta, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.4% 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 (12.0% 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 2002 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 62,771 2002 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Ford Fiesta?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (13.4%).
Does the 2002 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 62,771 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.