Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 Ford Fiesta Xr2?

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 1988 Ford Fiesta Xr2?

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 1988 Ford Fiesta Xr2?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1988 Ford Fiesta Xr2?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Ford Fiesta Xr2 (1988)

25,819 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.1% first-time pass rate

1988 Ford Fiesta Xr2

CarHunch analysed 25,819 real MOT records for the 1988 Ford Fiesta Xr2. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

**Reliability Verdict:** The 1988 Ford Fiesta XR2 is effectively unfit for road use by modern standards, with a first-time pass rate of just 10% against the UK average of 80%. No petrol examples in this dataset passed their MOT, and zero vehicles recorded dangerous defects—not because they're safe, but because these cars are too old and worn to still be in regular testing.

**Practical Context:** At an average mileage of 58,629 miles, these 36-year-old survivors are genuinely low-mileage by age, yet they're still failing MOT wholesale, which tells you that time and corrosion are the real enemies here, not hard use. If you're considering one, treat it as a restoration project or museum piece rather than transport—the MOT data confirms these cars need serious work to be legal, let alone safe.

Below average reliability 79.9% below UK average

0.1%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

avg MOT failures per car

over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1988 Ford Fiesta Xr2

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 Xr2

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

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	25,747	0%	0
Diesel (0%)	59	0%	0
Other (0%)	13	92.2%	0.38

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Ford Fiesta Xr2?

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

Other model years — Ford Fiesta Xr2:

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1989