Ford Fiesta ST — MOT pass rate & failures
3,067 MOT tests on the Ford Fiesta ST (2006–2022) give a 92.4% pass rate. That is 13.5 percentage points better than the 21.1% fail rate across all Ford Fiesta versions, so the Fiesta ST is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 76 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.2% in the 0-30k band and 30.8% in the 90-120k band, a 25.6-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 8.2% in 2022 to 6.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 40 | 85.0% | 15.0% |
| 2019 | 927 | 92.8% | 7.2% |
| 2020 | 1,387 | 92.4% | 7.6% |
| 2021 | 429 | 95.3% | 4.7% |
| 2022 | 190 | 97.4% | 2.6% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 112 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 62 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.8% | 55 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.9% | 28 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 25 |
| 7 | Suspension | 0.6% | 18 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 76 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 53 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 30 |
| 5 | Washers | 24 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 15 |
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 | 16.7% | 511 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.6% | 387 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.3% | 102 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.4% | 72 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 1.7% | 51 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 45 |
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 | 2,027 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 866 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 96 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 52 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 279 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | 725 | 7.0% |
| 2024 | 944 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 1,103 | 6.4% |
What to check before buying a Ford Fiesta ST
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (3.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.8% 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 reliable is the Ford Fiesta ST at MOT time?
92.4% of the 3,067 Ford Fiesta ST MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.6% fail rate, better than the 21.1% average across all Fiesta versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Ford Fiesta ST?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.0%).
Does the Fiesta ST get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,067 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.