Ford Fiesta (1992)
1992 Ford Fiesta
CarHunch analysed 38,643 real MOT records for the 1992 Ford Fiesta. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
# 1992 Ford Fiesta
The 1992 Fiesta is a significantly unreliable proposition: only 44.4% pass their MOT first time, nearly half the UK average of 80%. Diesel variants fare better at 54.1% pass rate, but petrol versions drop to 44.0%, and fewer than one in fourteen cars have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so safety-critical failures remain rare.
At 64,000 miles median, these cars are well-used for their age, yet they're accumulating 1.11 failures and 2.2 advisories per test on average—suggesting worn suspension, brake, and exhaust systems are the norm. If you're considering one, budget for remedial work before purchase and expect annual maintenance costs to be substantial; this is not a buy-it-and-forget-it car.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 10 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 1992 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 (97%) | 37,405 | 44.1% | 1.11 |
| Diesel (3%) | 1,236 | 54.1% | 1.28 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1992 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 1992 Ford Fiesta vehicles fall between 42,110 and 80,494 miles.
1992 Ford Fiesta — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 163 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% of peak).
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 — 1992 Ford Fiesta
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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21.3%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
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19.7%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
17.8%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
17.7%
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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15.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.1%
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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15.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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14.6%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1992. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Fiesta?
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