2023 Ford Fiesta — MOT failures & pass rate
1,460 MOT tests on the 2023 Ford Fiesta are in this dataset, and 94.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (5.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.9%) and lighting & signalling (1.4%) 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 20 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 12.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.9% | 57 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 21 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 18 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 15 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 3 |
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 | 20 |
| 2 | Washers | 18 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 17 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 8 |
| 5 | Lever | 5 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 4 |
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 | 12.5% | 182 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.1% | 46 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.5% | 36 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 1.1% | 16 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 5 |
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 | 1,247 | 4.7% |
| 30-60k | 197 | 10.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,383 | 5.5% |
| Hybrid | 77 | 5.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 | 6.7% |
| 2025 | 1,430 | 5.5% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Fiesta
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.9% 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 (1.4% 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 2023 Ford Fiestas pass their MOT?
94.5% of the 1,460 2023 Ford Fiesta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Ford Fiesta?
Tyres, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2023 Fiesta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.7% in the 0-30k band to 10.7% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,460 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.