2021 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 88.6% of Ford Fiestas first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. Across 58,828 Fiesta first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, tyres and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Fiestas first used in 2021 (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 2021 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Fiestas first used in 2021 against all cars first used in 2021 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Fiesta figure was 1.4 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2021 Fiesta | All cars first used 2021 | Fiesta first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 82.9% | 34 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 89.9% | 26 |
| 2023 | 89.9% | 90.8% | 2,300 |
| 2024 | 86.8% | 87.6% | 28,787 |
| 2025 | 88.6% | 87.2% | 27,741 |
Common 2021 Ford Fiesta MOT failures
Share of the 7,195 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamp aim: too low | 36.5% | 2,627 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 10.8% | 774 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 10.2% | 731 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 7.0% | 502 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 5.3% | 381 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2021 Ford Fiesta before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2021 Ford Fiesta MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2021 Fiestas, as a share of all 58,828 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.2% | 6,579 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 3.6% | 2,143 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 3.6% | 2,097 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 3.1% | 1,835 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged | 2.5% | 1,445 |
Questions about the 2021 Ford Fiesta MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2021 Ford Fiesta?
In 2025, 88.6% of Fiestas first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2021 Fiesta most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 47.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (32.8%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (13.3%). The single most common item was “Headlamp aim: too low” (36.5%).
How often does a 2021 Ford Fiesta fail its MOT?
In 2025, 11.4% of first tests on Fiestas first used in 2021 did not pass first time: 7.1% failed, and a further 4.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 7,195 of 58,828 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Fiesta MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 11.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (3.6%), “Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (3.6%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (3.1%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged” (2.5%).
Is a 2021 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 89.9% in 2023 to 88.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2021
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
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Checking a specific 2021 Fiesta?
The numbers above cover every Fiesta first used in 2021 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.
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