2012 Ford Fiesta MOT pass rate: 66.8% (291,502 tests)
Is the 2012 Fiesta getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 68.0% -4.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 66.3% -4.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 66.2% -4.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2012 Fiesta
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 71,744 | 28.2% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 60,214 | 23.7% |
| 3 | Tyres | 33,831 | 13.3% |
| 4 | Brakes | 20,045 | 7.9% |
| 5 | Steering | 18,288 | 7.2% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 17,263 | 6.8% |
All Fiesta years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7,919 | 60.6% | -5.9 pts | 65,748 |
| 2002 | 21,935 | 64.2% | -1.5 pts | 82,802 |
| 2003 | 45,939 | 64.5% | -0.5 pts | 91,578 |
| 2004 | 60,738 | 63.4% | -0.9 pts | 92,888 |
| 2005 | 73,812 | 62.6% | -1.9 pts | 92,792 |
| 2006 | 123,985 | 62.1% | -2.3 pts | 93,047 |
| 2007 | 152,816 | 64.3% | -0.8 pts | 91,686 |
| 2008 | 165,506 | 63.5% | -1.7 pts | 90,489 |
| 2009 | 269,992 | 63.1% | -3.3 pts | 91,860 |
| 2010 | 254,540 | 64.3% | -3.0 pts | 89,815 |
| 2011 | 249,852 | 66.0% | -3.1 pts | 84,706 |
| 2012 (this page) | 291,502 | 66.8% | -4.4 pts | 77,266 |
| 2013 | 332,810 | 69.7% | -3.6 pts | 71,841 |
| 2014 | 362,368 | 73.1% | -2.8 pts | 65,047 |
| 2015 | 371,911 | 75.3% | -3.4 pts | 57,838 |
| 2016 | 338,366 | 76.3% | -5.0 pts | 51,097 |
| 2017 | 267,348 | 82.5% | -1.5 pts | 43,526 |
| 2018 | 274,497 | 88.3% | +1.9 pts | 37,733 |
| 2019 | 217,806 | 89.6% | +1.3 pts | 30,446 |
| 2020 | 60,942 | 89.6% | -0.4 pts | 24,972 |
| 2021 | 7,431 | 93.6% | +3.2 pts | 21,685 |
| 2022 | 7,620 | 92.8% | +1.6 pts | 18,350 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Ford Fiesta years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2012 Ford Fiesta reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 66.8% of their MOT tests (291,502 tests, 2023–2025), -4.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 77,266 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 Fiesta?
The median tested example shows 77,266 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2012 Fiesta?
In this cohort petrols pass 68.0% of tests against 62.6% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.