Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse reliable?

Based on MOT data from 899 vehicles, the 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Ford Fiesta Finesse (2004)

899 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81% first-time pass rate

2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse

CarHunch analysed 899 real MOT records for the 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse falls well short of the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 64.5% against the national 80%—a clear warning sign that this generation struggles with reliability. The fuel breakdown reveals a dramatic split: the 706 "Other" fuel vehicles (almost certainly LPG conversions) pass at a healthy 80.7%, while the 184 petrol cars manage only 1.3%, suggesting serious inherent issues with the petrol engine or fuel system on these older Fiestas.

At 111,790 miles on average, these vehicles are well-worn for their age, and the 0.76 failures per car tells you component wear is the norm, not the exception. If you're considering one, avoid petrol versions altogether and seek out an LPG-converted example instead—but even then, budget for imminent repairs and have a pre-purchase inspection completed by a specialist familiar with this generation's common faults.

The 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (81%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

81%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.76

Over 3.5 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

103k

Middle half: 81k–123k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

These stats describe 899 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 899 Ford Fiesta Finesse cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse

Based on MOT data from 899 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Other (79%)	706	80.7%	0.95
Petrol (20%)	184	82.3%	0.03

Colour Breakdown

Based on 34,563 Ford Fiesta Finesse vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 26%

8,996

Red 23.6%

8,170

White 10.2%

3,509

Green 9.6%

3,318

Silver 8.5%

2,923

Grey 7.1%

2,465

Black 6.5%

2,251

Beige 3.3%

1,145

Gold 2.8%

955

Brown 1.9%

666

Purple 0.4%

135

Maroon 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

103,066

typical

81,455

low mileage

123,089

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse vehicles fall between 81,455 and 123,089 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 81,455 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 81,455–123,089 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesses sit.

⚠ Over 166,170 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 16% of 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesses are still active.

Numbers are declining — 107 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (16% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

3.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.76

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ford Fiesta Finesse: All Fiesta Finesse years → Which year to buy? →

1983 1986 1987 1992 1993 1994 1995 1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2005

Or browse all models: Ford →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Ford Fiesta Finesse stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?