Ford Fiesta (2016)
2016 Ford Fiesta
CarHunch analysed 119,964 real MOT records for the 2016 Ford Fiesta. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Ford Fiesta passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 81.1%, but diesel versions lag noticeably at 77.0% compared to petrol's 81.6%—a meaningful gap for reliability-conscious buyers. Nearly a third of these cars (31.9%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is substantially higher than typical and warrants close inspection of any used example.
At 38,075 miles median age-adjusted mileage, these Fiestas are running light for their years, yet they're still averaging 1.8 failures per test and 8.8 advisories, suggesting minor wear-and-tear issues are routine rather than exceptional. If you're considering a used 2016 Fiesta, prioritise a full pre-purchase inspection and ask the seller for complete MOT history—the high dangerous defect rate means peace of mind depends on knowing what this individual car has already encountered.
What to check before buying a 2016 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.
- ⚠️ 31.9% 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 (90%) | 107,418 | 81.6% | 1.75 |
| Diesel (10%) | 12,539 | 77% | 2.24 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
| Diesel (0%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| CNG (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 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 2016 Ford Fiesta vehicles fall between 27,396 and 50,044 miles.
2016 Ford Fiesta — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 108,942 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 94% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Ford Fiesta
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
42.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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42.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.7%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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26.5%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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24.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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22.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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19.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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12.5%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.