2007 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 380,721 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Ford Fiesta, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.6% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (72.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.7% in the 150k+ group versus 13.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 70,118 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 42,442 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 36,702 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.4% | 24,515 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 22,650 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 19,540 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 31,222 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 27,615 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 27,287 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 21,119 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 20,554 |
| 6 | Wipers | 17,012 |
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 | 36.1% | 137,641 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.6% | 112,593 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.0% | 106,654 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 68,110 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.4% | 62,644 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.1% | 42,240 |
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 | 8,784 | 13.0% |
| 30-60k | 57,772 | 19.0% |
| 60-90k | 121,283 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 119,040 | 29.2% |
| 120-150k | 54,825 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 18,361 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 335,015 | 26.2% |
| Diesel | 45,706 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93,152 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 85,236 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 77,127 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 67,689 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 57,517 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Fiesta
Before buying a 2007 Ford Fiesta, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 (9.6% 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.
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 2007 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 380,721 2007 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Ford Fiesta?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 2007 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.0% in the 0-30k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 380,721 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.