Verdict
The 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0 petrol passes its MOT first time on 72.9% of tests, against 81.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. It beats only 3% of cars on UK roads, one of the weakest years of the Fiesta, which as a whole beats about a quarter. The 2016 VW Polo 1.2 petrol does far better.
It starts about 3 points behind a typical car at its first MOT and falls back fast: about 7 points behind at 4 years old and about 10–11 points at 5–7, and it stays about 10 points behind up to 10. Across all years of the 1.0 petrol, it is level with a typical car under 20,000 miles and about 9–11 points behind from 70,000.
2016 is the worst year of the 1.0 petrol, and 2015 (fewer than one in ten) is little better; 2013, 2014 and 2017 cars beat about one in five. 2018 cars do much better, beating nearly six in ten cars, and 2019 cars a little under half. No 2016 Fiesta engine does well: the 1.2 and 1.6 petrol beat fewer than one in ten cars and the 1.5 diesel is as weak as the 1.0.
Brakes and visibility items fail less often than on a typical car, but lights and electrics fail 2.5 times as often and suspension 2.6 times: brake lights 7.7 times as often as on a typical car (on about 1 in 15 tests) and coil springs 4.3 times.
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT.
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Brake lights
The most common fail, on about 1 in 15 tests, 7.8 times as often as on a typical car. Have someone press the brake and check every brake light, including the high-level one. - Coil springs
Fail on about 1 in 17 tests, 4.3 times the typical rate, and testers advise on them about 3 times as often. Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil and listen for clunks over bumps. - Track rod ends
Fail on about 1 in 50 tests, 3.7 times as often as on a typical car; steering items overall fail about 3.4 times as often. Feel for play or knocking in the steering and look for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres. - Suspension ball joints
Fail on about 1 in 60 tests, 2.9 times the typical rate. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering. - Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)
Fails on about 1 in 80 tests, 1.6 times as often as on a typical car. Make sure no tyre-pressure warning light stays on after start-up. - Catalyst emissions
Fail on about 1 in 85 tests, about 4 times the typical rate. Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history and make sure the engine warning light goes out after start-up. - Headlights
Headlight aim fails on about 1 in 35 tests (1.7 times typical) and headlight bulbs about 1 in 55 (2.3 times). Check dipped and main beam on both sides, and park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake lights | 6.8% | 0.9% | 7.7× |
| Coil springs | 5.9% | 1.4% | 4.3× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 3.8% | 3.0% | 1.3× |
| Headlight aim | 2.9% | 1.8% | 1.7× |
| Tyre tread depth | 2.3% | 1.8% | 1.3× |
| Track rod ends | 2.1% | 0.6% | 3.6× |
| Headlight bulbs & units | 1.8% | 0.8% | 2.4× |
| Suspension ball joints | 1.7% | 0.6% | 2.9× |
| Windscreen washers | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.1× |
| Brake pads | 1.3% | 1.7% | 0.8× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 65.4 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 59.2 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 29.0 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 25.0 |
| A tyre seriously damaged | 24.4 |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 23.4 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 20.1 |
| A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED | 15.6 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Advisories
Not a fail yet, but likely to need attention soon.
| Item | Share of tests | vs typical |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth | 17.5% | 1.2× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 9.6% | 1.0× |
| Brake pads | 6.0% | 0.8× |
| Brake discs | 5.3% | 0.6× |
| Axle bushes & swivel pins | 4.3% | 16.6× |
| Coil springs | 2.5% | 3.3× |
| Shock absorbers | 2.5% | 1.2× |
| Exhaust system | 2.4% | 2.8× |
Best and worst years
Fiesta 1.0 Petrol by year, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Other 2016 Fiesta engines
Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Petrol | 72.9% | Beats 3% | E |
| 1.2 Petrol | 75.2% | Beats 6% | E |
| 1.5 Diesel | 66.2% | Beats 3% | E |
| 1.6 Petrol | 74.2% | Beats 5% | E |
FAQ
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0 petrol?
72.9% of MOT tests on the 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0 petrol were passed first time, from 495,888 tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 81.8%.
Is the 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0 petrol reliable?
On MOT results it is well below average: it beats only 3% of cars on UK roads, though 2018 1.0 petrol Fiestas do much better. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
What are the most common MOT failures on the 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0 petrol?
Brake lights (about 1 in 15 tests), coil springs (about 1 in 17), tyre damage and headlight aim.
Which year of Ford Fiesta 1.0 petrol is best?
2018 cars beat nearly six in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and 2019 cars a little under half. 2015 and 2016 cars do worst, beating fewer than one in ten.
Which 2016 Ford Fiesta engine is best?
None does well. The 1.2 and 1.6 petrol each beat fewer than one in ten cars, and the 1.5 diesel is as weak as the 1.0 petrol.
What should I check on a 2016 Fiesta 1.0 before its MOT?
Every brake light, the coil springs, the steering track rod ends and suspension ball joints, and that no tyre-pressure or engine warning light stays on.