Ford FIESTA - 1983
97.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1983 is 180.1 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford FIESTA, model year 1983.
Sample size: 128 cars, 180 tests and 175 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 128 cars
The 1983 Ford Fiesta has an overall defect rate of 97 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the yearly average of 180 defects per 100. This model shows a remarkable performance in several categories, particularly in brakes and steering, where it has 46% and 2% defect rates, respectively, compared to the averages of 63% and 17%. Additionally, the Fiesta demonstrates lower defects in visibility, lights and electrics, and body/structure, all performing better than the average. Mileage trends indicate an increase in defects as mileage rises, particularly in the 0–31,000 mile range, which is where the model shows the highest defect rate compared to the average. Overall, the Ford Fiesta stands out positively in multiple areas, suggesting it may be a reliable choice compared to its peers from the same year.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 128 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 27.7% better
45.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 63.1 / 100 tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded and likely to fail
Steering
▲ 86.9% better
2.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.8 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive to the extent that safe steering is affected
Visibility
▲ 40.1% better
10.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.7 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- An obstruction: materially affecting the driver’s view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen or an obligatory external mirror not visible
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▲ 59.2% better
18.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 46.3 / 100 tests
- Lamp: emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
- A rear registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 35.9% better
72.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 112.7 / 100 tests
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Body/Structure
▲ 55.3% better
18.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 42.3 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- 6.1.1 (d) (i)
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- A transmission shaft bearing housing: likely to fail
Equipment
▲ 81.8% better
2.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 12.1 / 100 tests
- Seat belt retractor not functioning as intended
- Audible warning:
Other
▲ 51.4% better
24.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 50.2 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
- Exhaust emits excessive dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 11
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 11
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 6
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 6
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 5
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 5
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 4
Serious faults (Top 10)
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded and likely to fail
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
A spring: insecurely attached to chassis or axle
FAIL
Occurrences: 2