Ford Fiesta (2017)
2017 Ford Fiesta
CarHunch analysed 93,400 real MOT records for the 2017 Ford Fiesta. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2017 Ford Fiesta passes its MOT first time at 86.5%, which is 6.5 percentage points above the UK average of 80%—a solid result. However, one in four of these vehicles (25.7%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is notably high and worth taking seriously as a potential buyer; petrol models perform better at 86.8% pass rate versus diesel at 81.6%.
These Fiestas are running at a median of just 34,178 miles, which is reasonable for a seven-year-old car, and they typically pick up 7.1 advisories per test—minor wear items rather than structural problems. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection done, ask the seller specifically about any history of dangerous defects, and factor in that you'll likely need routine maintenance work sooner rather than later.
What to check before buying a 2017 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.
- ⚠️ 25.7% 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 (93%) | 86,961 | 86.8% | 1.09 |
| Diesel (7%) | 6,428 | 81.6% | 1.59 |
| Other (0%) | 7 | 88.1% | 0.29 |
| Diesel (0%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2017 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 2017 Ford Fiesta vehicles fall between 24,354 and 45,397 miles.
2017 Ford Fiesta — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 86,465 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 95% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2017 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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42.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
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 2017. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Fiesta?
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