2013 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
721,553 MOT tests on the 2013 Ford Fiesta are in this dataset, and 77.8% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 21.1% of the time, so this is 1.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and suspension (11.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, stop lamp and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 59,320 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.7% versus 8.6%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.3pp more often than petrol ones (26.6% vs 21.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 90,597 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 81,799 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.6% | 40,712 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.4% | 24,290 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 23,913 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.3% | 23,475 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 59,320 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 50,747 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 26,761 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 23,764 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 22,771 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 16,166 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.7% | 206,785 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.4% | 204,841 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.3% | 124,635 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.5% | 75,779 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 34,458 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 26,791 |
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 | 47,680 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 236,760 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 269,528 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 121,791 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 33,358 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 12,213 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 601,123 | 21.3% |
| Diesel | 120,427 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 142,431 | 18.9% |
| 2022 | 145,722 | 21.0% |
| 2023 | 145,753 | 22.3% |
| 2024 | 145,333 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 142,314 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Fiesta
On a 2013 Fiesta, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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.
- Tyres (5.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2013 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 721,553 2013 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Ford Fiesta?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2013 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 721,553 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.