2005 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 197,789 MOT tests, the 2005 Ford Fiesta recorded a 71.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (28.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.1%) and suspension (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, stop lamp and headlamp aim — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 16,015 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.8% in the 0-30k band and 33.6% in the 150k+ band, a 19.8-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 27.9% fail against 30.4% for diesel, a 2.5-point gap across 197,789 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.4% 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 | 17.1% | 33,818 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 28,304 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.4% | 20,533 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.1% | 14,142 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 11,771 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 11,245 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 16,015 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 14,765 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 12,406 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 10,470 |
| 5 | Wipers | 9,821 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 8,938 |
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 | 36.4% | 71,971 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.2% | 71,576 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.9% | 57,092 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.0% | 33,629 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.7% | 25,142 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 22,955 |
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 | 4,060 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 29,015 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 59,295 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 62,054 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 31,446 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 11,665 | 33.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 177,969 | 27.9% |
| Diesel | 19,820 | 30.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53,569 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 46,185 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 39,260 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 32,653 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 26,122 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Fiesta
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.3% 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 (10.4% 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 2005 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 197,789 2005 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Ford Fiesta?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (14.3%).
Does the 2005 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 197,789 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.