Ford Fiesta (2001)
2001 Ford Fiesta
CarHunch analysed 99,490 real MOT records for the 2001 Ford Fiesta. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 Ford Fiesta has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.6%, which is 10 points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that suggests more mechanical issues than typical cars of this age. More concerning, 28.3% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point, well above the threshold for buyer worry, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
These Fiestas are running around 61,000 miles at median, which is reasonable for a 23-year-old car, but they're averaging 4.36 failures per test and 21.2 advisories, indicating persistent wear and maintenance demands. Check the service history carefully and budget for suspension, electrical, and brake work—the advisory count suggests these areas are consistently flagged across the fleet.
What to check before buying a 2001 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.
- ⚠️ 28.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (92%) | 91,934 | 69.7% | 4.39 |
| Diesel (8%) | 7,539 | 68.3% | 4.01 |
| LPG (0%) | 13 | 70.2% | 3.77 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 100% | 0 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 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 2001 Ford Fiesta vehicles fall between 47,375 and 76,218 miles.
2001 Ford Fiesta — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 3,238 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (5% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2001 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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78.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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73.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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60.9%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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54.8%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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51.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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43.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42.9%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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40%
Oil leak
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Fiesta?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.