2007 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
380,729 MOT tests on the 2007 Ford Fiesta are in this dataset, and 73.6% of them passed. That is 1.4 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 27.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests against 11.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 31,222 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.7% versus 13.0%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.2% fail against 28.3% for diesel, a 2.1-point gap across 380,729 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 70,120 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 42,442 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 36,702 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.4% | 24,516 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 22,650 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 19,541 |
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 | 27,288 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 21,120 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 20,555 |
| 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% | 137,643 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.6% | 112,593 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.0% | 106,657 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 68,110 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.4% | 62,645 |
| 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 | 119,043 | 29.2% |
| 120-150k | 54,830 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 18,361 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 335,017 | 26.2% |
| Diesel | 45,712 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93,152 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 85,237 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 77,129 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 67,691 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 57,520 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Fiesta
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.4% of tests. Start there.
- 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 380,729 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 380,729 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.