Ford Fiesta Flight (2001)

790 real MOT outcomes analysed • 4.8% first-time pass rate

2001 Ford Fiesta Flight

CarHunch analysed 790 real MOT records for the 2001 Ford Fiesta Flight. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

**2001 FORD FIESTA FLIGHT**

This 2001 Fiesta Flight is in severe distress: a 4.8% first-time pass rate against the UK average of 80% tells you these cars are failing their MOTs at a catastrophic rate. The petrol variant shows a 0% pass rate across 739 vehicles tested, and while dangerous defects aren't prevalent, the sheer volume of failures makes this model genuinely unsafe to buy without a full pre-purchase inspection and significant repair budget.

At an average mileage of 75,989 miles for a 23-year-old car, these Fiestas are relatively low-mileage but plainly neglected or mechanically compromised—most are racking up failures rather than advisories, suggesting structural or emissions problems rather than wear items. Do not purchase one of these vehicles unless you can have a trusted independent mechanic inspect it thoroughly before committing, and budget for serious remedial work.

Below average reliability 75.2% below UK average
4.8%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.06
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.2 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2001 Ford Fiesta Flight

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Ford Fiesta Flight

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (94%) 739 0% 0
Other (6%) 51 74.1% 0.92

2001 Ford Fiesta Flight — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (24% of peak).

12 11 2017 2022

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2022.

MOT History Averages

1.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.06
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Ford Fiesta Flight?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Ford Fiesta Flight:

1991 1992 1993 1997 2002