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Ford Fiesta Mk5 (2002-2007) reliability

At a glance

Ford Fiesta Mk5 built around 2007: about average at the MOT

Ford Fiesta Mk5 models built around 2007 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Ford Fiesta Mk5?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

33% of MOT tests on Ford Fiesta Mk5 models built around 2007 ended in a fail (retests included), against 33% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford Fiesta Mk5 models built around 2007 involves the brakes.

Ford Fiesta Mk5
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2002-2007HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 185,958 tests of Fiesta models registered 2002-2007.

About 1 in 12 Fiesta Mk5 MOTs (8.6%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2007 (18 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 57,038 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Fiesta Mk5 MOTs (7.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2007 (18 years old).

Based on 57,038 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk5 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
26,73233.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
57,03833.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
39,46733.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
25,10233.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
20,54833.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
13,15632.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
3,91531.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

How the Fiesta Mk5 compares

At each age below, see how the Fiesta Mk5 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 134,357 tests across 10 Ford models, built around 2007 (18 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateFord average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
26,73233.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
57,03833.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
39,46733.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
25,10233.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
20,54833.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
13,15632.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
3,91531.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Fiesta Mk5.

  1. 1

    Suzuki Ignis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.3%

    No clear edge over the Ford Fiesta Mk5 on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,136 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  2. 2

    Daihatsu Sirion

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.4%
    Dangerous
    5.9%

    Lower fail rate: 28.4%, against 33.3% for the Ford Fiesta Mk5, both built around 2007.

    1,299 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  3. 3

    Nissan Micra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.1%
    Dangerous
    6.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.2%, against 7.5% for the Ford Fiesta Mk5.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    19,716 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Beetle

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    36.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.1%

    More still registered at 10 years: 97%, against 92% for the Ford Fiesta Mk5.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,365 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

92%of all Ford Fiesta cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · The same

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

41 recalls in all

6 of the 41 Fiesta Mk5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 recalls

Top concerns

  • Power steering may be lost
  • Potential loss of steering control
  • Fuel return pipe leak

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Fiesta Mk5 cars built around 2007

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 5,746 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
54%
Emissions
27%
Steering
8%
Bodywork
6%
Drivetrain
5%

Wear items

Lighting
64%
Tyres
55%
Brakes
49%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 23% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2007 (18 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Fiesta tests (not specific to Mk5).

1.0 to 1.4 litres33.5%44,705 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres31.1%6,863 tests
How Fiesta Mk5 cars have aged

How Fiesta Mk5 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1416182022Age at MOTBuilt around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (60,636 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (54,407 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (48,622 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (41,792 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (35,286 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (52,783 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (46,100 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (39,645 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (32,950 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (26,790 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (33,335 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (28,250 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (23,539 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (19,326 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (15,424 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (30,001 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (24,536 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (20,347 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (16,495 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (13,015 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (22,501 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (18,341 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (14,768 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (11,946 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (9,215 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (10,548 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (7,952 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (6,285 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (4,934 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (3,915 tests, 2025 data)2002
First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004
How each part holds up as Mk5 cars age

How each part holds up as Mk5 cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car16 years17 years18 years19 years20 years
Suspension60%54%51%65%63%
Brakes41%49%51%55%54%
Emissions28%27%27%29%32%
Tyres47%55%54%55%57%
Lighting58%64%67%68%68%
Drivetrain4%5%7%5%6%
Bodywork1%6%6%7%7%
Steering5%8%7%7%8%
Corrosion12%23%23%24%22%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 116 to 6,543 cars at each age.

Mk5 variants compared

Fiesta Mk5 variants built around 2007

The fail rate for each Fiesta Mk5 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • FIESTA33.2%51,570 tests

Diesel

  • FIESTA34.3%5,460 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Ford Fiestas of this age

This list covers every Ford Fiesta built around 2007, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk5 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    29.2%
    Advisory: 22,586Fail: 3,124 (12% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.2%
    Advisory: 13,968Fail: 1,221 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    16.2%
    Advisory: 11,624Fail: 1,721 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    15.1%
    Advisory: 8,773Fail: 184 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    14.5%
    Advisory: 12,495Fail: 696 (5% of the times it was found)

Based on 57,038 tests

Looking at a Ford Fiesta Mk5?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2007 (18 years old), the Ford Fiesta Mk5 (2002-2007) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 57,038 18-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 185,958 MOT tests on Ford Fiestas first registered between 2002-2007. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.