Ford Fiesta Zetec S (2006)
2006 Ford Fiesta Zetec S
CarHunch analysed 161 real MOT records for the 2006 Ford Fiesta Zetec S. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2006 Fiesta Zetec S is a serious reliability concern: just 12.2% of these cars pass their MOT first time, versus the UK average of 80%, and virtually every vehicle in this cohort will need repairs to pass. The complete absence of dangerous defects is the only bright spot—these failures are fixable faults rather than safety-critical issues.
With an average mileage of 131,300 miles at 18 years old, these cars have been well-used, which explains the high failure rate; however, the low average of 0.27 failures per vehicle suggests problems are typically minor and scattered rather than systemic breakdowns. Before buying, budget for an MOT repair bill and have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, suspension, and exhaust closely—these older Fiestas need hands-on vetting rather than rely on their MOT history alone.
What to check before buying a 2006 Ford Fiesta Zetec S
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 Zetec S
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 (58%) | 94 | 0% | 0 |
| Diesel (35%) | 56 | 22.2% | 0.52 |
| Other (7%) | 11 | 65.2% | 1.27 |
2006 Ford Fiesta Zetec S — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (38% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2022.
MOT History Averages
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