2022 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 27,820 MOT tests, the 2022 Ford Fiesta recorded a 93.9% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail at 6.9%, so the 2022 Fiesta sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.1%) and lighting & signalling (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 561 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.3% in the 0-30k band and 22.0% in the 90-120k band, a 16.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 1,138 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 612 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 340 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 279 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 69 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 45 |
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 | 561 |
| 2 | Washers | 291 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 276 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 164 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 87 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 74 |
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 | 17.3% | 4,828 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.0% | 1,677 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.8% | 1,057 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 1.8% | 514 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.9% | 262 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 129 |
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 | 22,826 | 5.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,496 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 436 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 22.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 27,631 | 6.1% |
| Hybrid | 187 | 9.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 944 | 4.8% |
| 2025 | 26,860 | 6.2% |
What to check before buying a 2022 Fiesta
On a 2022 Fiesta, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2022 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
93.9% of the 27,820 2022 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Ford Fiesta?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.2%).
Does the 2022 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.3% in the 0-30k band to 22.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 27,820 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.