Ford Fiesta (2010)
2010 Ford Fiesta
CarHunch analysed 102,457 real MOT records for the 2010 Ford Fiesta. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2010 Ford Fiesta's 76.3% first-time pass rate sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, and this becomes a real concern when you see that 53% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above typical thresholds. Diesel variants perform worse than petrol models (73.6% vs 77.4% pass rate), so fuel type should weigh into your decision.
At 57,010 miles median, these Fiestas are showing typical wear for their age, but they're averaging over 4 failures per test and nearly 24 advisories, which points to cumulative wear rather than catastrophic issues. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension and steering components—the high advisory count suggests these areas are wearing out—and factor in above-average maintenance costs over the next few years.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2010 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.
- ⚠️ 53% 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
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 (71%) | 73,092 | 77.4% | 3.9 |
| Diesel (29%) | 29,349 | 73.6% | 4.41 |
| Other (0%) | 11 | 90% | 0.45 |
| LPG (0%) | 4 | 73.7% | 2.5 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 81.3% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2010 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 2010 Ford Fiesta vehicles fall between 42,523 and 72,097 miles.
2010 Ford Fiesta — Still on the Road
78,064 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 79% 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 — 2010 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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56.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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53.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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47%
Offside Rear Coil spring corroded
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43.1%
Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded
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35.5%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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34.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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33%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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30.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2010. 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.