2014 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
762,253 MOT tests on the 2014 Ford Fiesta are in this dataset, and 80.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (19.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests against 8.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, ball joint and headlamp aim — stop lamp alone was recorded 56,098 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.6% once past 150k — 3.4× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 18.7% fail against 25.8% for diesel, a 7.1-point gap across 762,251 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 100,187 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.0% | 60,772 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.2% | 47,422 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 24,092 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.0% | 22,958 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 20,953 |
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 | 56,098 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 38,849 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 33,586 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 22,502 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 22,467 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 21,132 |
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 | 27.4% | 208,481 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.5% | 187,010 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.5% | 126,053 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.9% | 67,895 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 26,177 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.1% | 23,459 |
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 | 75,655 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 298,047 | 16.1% |
| 60-90k | 261,481 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 94,439 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 23,065 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 8,106 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 659,077 | 18.7% |
| Diesel | 103,174 | 25.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 149,753 | 15.8% |
| 2022 | 152,182 | 17.9% |
| 2023 | 153,406 | 19.7% |
| 2024 | 153,652 | 21.7% |
| 2025 | 153,260 | 23.1% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Fiesta
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.0% 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 (6.2% 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 2014 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
80.3% of the 762,253 2014 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Ford Fiesta?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by suspension (8.0%).
Does the 2014 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 762,253 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.