2001 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 56.4% of Ford Fiestas first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. Across 8,053 Fiesta first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, brakes and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Fiestas first used in 2001 (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 2001 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Fiestas first used in 2001 against all cars first used in 2001 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Fiesta figure was 4.7 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2001 Fiesta | All cars first used 2001 | Fiesta first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52.0% | 55.6% | 5,762 |
| 2022 | 52.8% | 57.4% | 4,364 |
| 2023 | 53.6% | 58.7% | 3,435 |
| 2024 | 56.7% | 59.4% | 2,615 |
| 2025 | 56.4% | 61.1% | 2,003 |
Common 2001 Ford Fiesta MOT failures
Share of the 3,601 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 | 25.2% | 908 |
| Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | 15.5% | 559 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 10.4% | 374 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 9.6% | 345 |
| Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements | 8.5% | 307 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Fiesta in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2001 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.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2001 Ford Fiesta MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2001 Fiestas, as a share of all 8,053 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 23.7% | 1,907 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 20.2% | 1,624 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 15.3% | 1,231 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.4% | 1,076 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 11.9% | 956 |
Questions about the 2001 Ford Fiesta MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2001 Ford Fiesta?
In 2025, 56.4% of Fiestas first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2001 Fiesta most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 54.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (34.4%) and lamps and electrical equipment (27.8%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (25.2%).
How often does a 2001 Ford Fiesta fail its MOT?
In 2025, 43.6% of first tests on Fiestas first used in 2001 did not pass first time: 38.3% failed, and a further 5.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,601 of 8,053 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2001 Ford Fiesta MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 23.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (20.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (15.3%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (13.4%) and “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (11.9%).
Is a 2001 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 52.0% in 2021 to 56.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2001
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2001 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2001 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2001 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 2001 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2001 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2001 Fiesta?
The numbers above cover every Fiesta first used in 2001 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.