1998 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 53.7% of Ford Fiestas first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. Across 3,752 Fiesta first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, brakes and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Fiestas first used in 1998 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 1998 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Fiestas first used in 1998 against all cars first used in 1998 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Fiesta figure was 11.9 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 1998 Fiesta | All cars first used 1998 | Fiesta first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 48.5% | 60.7% | 2,569 |
| 2022 | 49.0% | 62.4% | 2,065 |
| 2023 | 50.7% | 64.0% | 1,593 |
| 2024 | 51.7% | 64.9% | 1,216 |
| 2025 | 53.7% | 65.6% | 943 |
Common 1998 Ford Fiesta MOT failures
Share of the 1,809 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 20.7% | 375 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 18.6% | 337 |
| Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements | 12.5% | 226 |
| Service brake imbalance: across an axle | 12.2% | 220 |
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 12.1% | 219 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 1998 Ford Fiesta before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
Common 1998 Ford Fiesta MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1998 Fiestas, as a share of all 3,752 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 19.6% | 736 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 18.5% | 694 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.4% | 503 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.4% | 503 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 11.4% | 427 |
Questions about the 1998 Ford Fiesta MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 1998 Ford Fiesta?
In 2025, 53.7% of Fiestas first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 1998 Fiesta most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 48.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (42.7%) and body, chassis and structure (36.9%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (20.7%).
How often does a 1998 Ford Fiesta fail its MOT?
In 2025, 46.3% of first tests on Fiestas first used in 1998 did not pass first time: 41.5% failed, and a further 4.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,809 of 3,752 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 1998 Ford Fiesta MOT advisories?
“Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (on 19.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (18.5%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (13.4%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (13.4%) and “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (11.4%).
Is a 1998 Ford Fiesta reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 48.5% in 2021 to 53.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 1998
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1998 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1998 Mazda MX-5 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW Z3 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics
Checking a specific 1998 Fiesta?
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