Ford Fiesta (1987)
1987 Ford Fiesta
CarHunch analysed 3,623 real MOT records for the 1987 Ford Fiesta. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Ford Fiesta has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 59%, well below the UK average of 80%, making it a notably unreliable prospect by modern standards. With 13% of these cars having suffered dangerous defects at some point, you're taking on genuine safety risk—this isn't just about minor wear.
These Fiestas average 57,000 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but the real story is in the failures: owners face an average of 1.65 failures and 3.8 advisories per test, suggesting chronic maintenance issues across the fleet. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic focus on brakes, suspension, and rust, as these decades-old cars will almost certainly need work.
What to check before buying a 1987 Ford Fiesta
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
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 (98%) | 3,566 | 59.2% | 1.66 |
| Diesel (2%) | 57 | 46.1% | 0.91 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Ford Fiesta vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1987 Ford Fiesta vehicles fall between 37,491 and 72,936 miles.
1987 Ford Fiesta — Still on the Road
187 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 57% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Ford Fiesta
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
30.8%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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29.5%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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26.8%
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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23.1%
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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19.2%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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15.3%
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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15%
Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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14.9%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Fiesta?
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