Ford FIESTA - 1989
149.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1989 is 252.8 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford FIESTA, model year 1989.
Sample size: 292 cars, 502 tests and 749 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: 292 cars
The 1989 Ford Fiesta shows a significantly lower overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with 149 defects per 100 vehicles compared to 249. This model excels in categories like brakes, steering, and visibility, demonstrating defect rates that are much lower than average, particularly in steering where it performs 70% better. However, it has higher defect rates in areas related to wheels, suspensions, and axles. Mileage trends indicate that the highest defect rate occurs between 62,000 and 93,000 miles, which is consistent with general patterns seen across other vehicles. Overall, the Fiesta stands out positively in several key categories, showcasing its reliability for a vehicle of its age.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 292 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 34.0% better
64.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 97.1 / 100 tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- 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
▲ 70.9% better
7.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.1 / 100 tests
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any steering component mounting (a ‘prescribed area’): is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- 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
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 56.4% better
9.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.0 / 100 tests
- Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: defective
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 59.1% better
25.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.4 / 100 tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- 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
- A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 29.5% better
116.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 165.6 / 100 tests
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▲ 48.9% better
31.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.7 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▲ 65.4% better
6.4 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
- Audible warning:
- 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: operation impaired
- Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
Other
▲ 29.4% better
37.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 53.1 / 100 tests
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
- Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
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: 67
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 47
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 39
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 39
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 29
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 26
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 19
Serious faults (Top 10)
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
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
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: 10
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
A wheel bearing: excessively rough
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
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: 6