Ford FIESTA - 1985
127.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1985 is 240.5 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford FIESTA, model year 1985.
Sample size: 118 cars, 202 tests and 258 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: 118 cars
The 1985 Ford Fiesta has a notably lower overall defect rate, with 128 defects per 100 vehicles compared to the average of 238 defects for cars of the same year, indicating it performs 46% better than the average. Notably, it excels in categories such as brakes and steering, where defect rates are significantly lower than the average, particularly with steering issues being almost non-existent. While there is a trend of increasing defects with mileage, the Fiesta shows fewer problems across most categories, maintaining a strong performance even with higher mileage. Overall, the Fiesta stands out positively in various key areas, reinforcing its reputation for reliability.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 118 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 27.7% better
60.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.5 / 100 tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
- 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
Steering
▲ 93.6% better
2.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 31.1 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive to the extent that safe steering is affected
Visibility
▲ 60.4% better
8.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.5 / 100 tests
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Obligatory mirror or device missing
Lights & Electrics
▲ 48.2% better
29.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 57.3 / 100 tests
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- 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
- Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Indicator or hazard warning switch: does not operate in accordance with the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 37.7% better
100.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 160.6 / 100 tests
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 64.5% better
19.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 55.8 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- 6.1.1 (d) (i)
- A main load-bearing structural member: fractured or deformed such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 44.1% better
9.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.7 / 100 tests
- Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
Other
▲ 52.9% better
24.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.6 / 100 tests
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Exhaust emits excessive dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users
- Engine is idling clearly above its normal idle speed
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: 25
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 20
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 11
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 9
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 9
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 8
is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 8
Serious faults (Top 10)
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
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
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
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: 5
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 3