Ford FIESTA - 1988
147.8 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1988 is 253.5 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford FIESTA, model year 1988.
Sample size: 441 cars, 787 tests and 1,163 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: 441 cars
The 1988 Ford Fiesta shows an overall defect rate of 148 defects per 100 vehicles, which is significantly better than the yearly average of 249 defects per 100, reflecting a 41% lower rate. Notably, the model excels in categories such as brakes, steering, and visibility, where it performs much better than typical vehicles from the same year. Specifically, it has 39% fewer brake defects and an impressive 83% lower rate of steering issues compared to the average. However, as mileage increases, the defect rate does rise, particularly in the lower mileage brackets where it still remains competitive. Overall, the Fiesta demonstrates strong reliability in several key areas compared to its peers.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 441 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 40.8% better
56.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 95.2 / 100 tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
- 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
- Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▲ 83.6% better
4.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 28.0 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Excessive roughness in operation of steering
- 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
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 58.4% better
8.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.4 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- 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: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 47.4% better
33.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.3 / 100 tests
- 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
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- Beam image obviously incorrect
- Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
- A battery insecure: but not likely to fall from carrier
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 31.6% better
110.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 161.2 / 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
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Body/Structure
▲ 42.8% better
36.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 64.0 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▲ 61.6% better
7.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 18.5 / 100 tests
- 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
- A seat belt:
- Speedometer: not sufficiently illuminated
- 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
- Speedometer: not illuminated
Other
▲ 30.2% better
37.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 54.3 / 100 tests
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 102
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 96
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 49
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 48
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 44
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 41
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 38
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 38
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 32
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 26
Serious faults (Top 10)
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 32
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: 26
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
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: 13
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
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
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 9