Ford MOT pass rates and common failures

Ford is the largest make in the UK MOT corpus. Don't gamble on a used Fiesta, Focus, or Kuga — compare how each model fails MOT at typical mileages, not just one registration check.

MOT pass rate is not a reliability rating — it is the share of recorded DVSA tests that passed for each make and model in this age band. Use Compare for two models, or browse Ford MOT reports.

18.7 million Ford vehicles in the UK MOT source dataset (all registration years). In the 5–10 years old (registration era) age band: 8.9M MOT tests across all models — the same metric shown in the brand matrix drawer. Model cards below are per-model totals in that band.

Data created

Top Ford models by MOT test volume

The four models with the most MOT tests in our Ford lineup at 5–10 years. Pass rate and failure category split are public; defect codes and severity detail require credits.

Ford Fiesta

2.4M MOT tests in age band · 83.9% pass rate

83.9%

Failure breakdown (public summary)

  • Owner neglect
  • Wear & tear
  • Systemic
  • Other
Compare FIESTA with another model

Ford Focus

1.4M MOT tests in age band · 86.6% pass rate

86.6%

Failure breakdown (public summary)

  • Owner neglect
  • Wear & tear
  • Systemic
  • Other
Compare FOCUS with another model

Ford Kuga

834k MOT tests in age band · 87.4% pass rate

87.4%

Failure breakdown (public summary)

  • Owner neglect
  • Wear & tear
  • Systemic
  • Other
Compare KUGA with another model

What a full Ford FIESTA report looks like

Vehicle age: 5–10 years old (registration era). Pass rate and category split above are live age-band aggregates; the sections below show the report layout subscribers unlock.

Pass rate

83.9%

Live age-band stat

Maintenance compliance

74 / 100

Mileage-normalised score

Defects per 1k miles

7.1

vs age-band percentile

Common systemic components

  • Suspension arm bush worn excessively (1.1.11 (c))
  • Coil spring fractured or broken (1.1.2 (a))
  • Brake disc worn, pitted or scored (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
  • Excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.1.3 (b))

Unlock DVSA-coded defects, severity splits, first-MOT patterns, and year-on-year trends for FORD FIESTA

More brand research

Ford MOT data — common questions

Does a good Ford MOT pass rate mean the car is reliable?

No. MOT pass rate is not a reliability rating. It is the share of recorded DVSA tests that passed for that Ford model in this 5–10 year band. It does not prove breakdowns, repair cost, or the condition of one seller’s car.

Which Ford models have the most MOT tests on this page?

The four highest-volume models in this age band are Transit (79.9% pass rate, 2.7M tests); Fiesta (83.9% pass rate, 2.4M tests); Focus (86.6% pass rate, 1.4M tests); Kuga (87.4% pass rate, 834k tests). Pass rate is a test outcome, not a ranking of the most reliable car.

Is this Ford page a registration MOT check?

No. This is make and model research from aggregated DVSA tests. For one vehicle, use GOV.UK MOT history. Use Compare to put two models on the same age band.