Ford Fiesta (2012)
2012 Ford Fiesta
CarHunch analysed 107,843 real MOT records for the 2012 Ford Fiesta. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Fiesta's 78.8% pass rate sits just below the UK average, and nearly half of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a notable concern for used buyers. Petrol versions fare better at 79.5% than diesels at 76.4%, suggesting the petrol engines are the safer bet for reliability.
With a median mileage of 51,075 miles at test, these Fiestas are running relatively light for their age, yet they're averaging 3.1 failures and 19.4 advisories per test, pointing to wear-related issues creeping in. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and exhaust—the high advisory count suggests these are the weak points by year 12.
What to check before buying a 2012 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.
- ⚠️ 47.6% 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 (76%) | 82,232 | 79.5% | 3 |
| Diesel (24%) | 25,597 | 76.4% | 3.41 |
| Other (0%) | 8 | 79.2% | 0.63 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 69.4% | 4 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 2 | 64.3% | 2 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 50% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 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 2012 Ford Fiesta vehicles fall between 37,552 and 65,322 miles.
2012 Ford Fiesta — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 92,499 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 89% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Ford Fiesta
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
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 2012. 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.