80.6%
pass rate across 413,733 tests
76.3% first-time pass rate
52,564 mi median at test
Ford Fiesta 2016 vs 2019
The same model, 3 years apart, compared on 664,853 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
90.5%
pass rate across 251,120 tests
89.6% first-time pass rate
30,966 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2019 Fiesta passes more — but most of it is age
Across 664,853 tests, the 2019 Fiesta passes 90.5% of MOTs and the 2016 80.6%. The 2019 cars are 3 years newer and were tested at a median 30,966 miles against 52,564, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2019 is +1.0 points and the 2016 −3.4 — a like-for-like gap of +4.4 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £20–£55 on the 2016 and £33–£78 on the 2019. Failures on the newer year cost more to put right. Repairs under £30 account for 42% of the 2016's recorded faults and 24% of the 2019's. The most common failing part is coil spring on the 2016 and headlight alignment on the 2019.
- Pass rate: 80.6% vs 90.5%
- Tests: 413,733 vs 251,120
- Like-for-like: −3.4 vs +1.0 pts
- Median mileage: 52,564 vs 30,966 mi
- Typical repair: £20–£55 vs £33–£78
- Cheap fixes: 42% vs 24%
| Measure | 2016 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 413,733 | 251,120 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 80.6% | 90.5% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 76.3% | 89.6% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | −3.4 pts | +1.0 pts stronger figure |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | −3.4 pts | +1.0 pts stronger figure |
| Average mileage at test | 56,011 mi | 34,060 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 52,564 mi | 30,966 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £20–£55 stronger figure | £33–£78 |
| Repairs under £30 | 42% stronger figure | 24% |
| Most common failing part | Coil Spring | Headlight Alignment |
| Variants recorded | 5 | 5 |
| Main fuel | Petrol 89% | Petrol 96% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2016 Fiesta
- Coil spring fractured or broken 4.1% £25–£65
- Stop lamp not working 3.4% £3–£12
- Stop lamp not working 2.9% £3–£12
- Ball joint excessively worn 2.4% £18–£45
- Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 2.2% £18–£45
2019 Fiesta
- Headlamp aim too low 1.3% £30–£80
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.2% £45–£95
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.2% £45–£95
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick 1.1% £18–£45
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 0.9% £80–£200
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2016 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 89.1% · 59,882 tests | 93.5% · 119,798 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 81.8% · 195,095 tests | 88.5% · 109,768 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 76.6% · 118,519 tests | 85.0% · 18,164 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 73.9% · 29,777 tests | 84.3% · 2,642 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 74.7% · 9,459 tests | 83.6% · 666 tests |
What to check before you buy
2016 Ford Fiesta
- Coil spring fractured or broken — 4.1% of tests · £25–£65
- Stop lamp not working — 3.4% of tests · £3–£12
- Ball joint excessively worn — 2.4% of tests · £18–£45
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2019 Ford Fiesta
- Headlamp aim too low — 1.3% of tests · £30–£80
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords — 1.2% of tests · £45–£95
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm — 1.2% of tests · £45–£95
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the Ford Fiesta? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the Ford Fiesta →
Or put the Fiesta against another model: Compare the Ford Fiesta side by side →