MOT performance
Ford Fiesta vs BMW i3: MOT pass rates compared
In 2023–2024, 66.0% of 2,842,979 Ford Fiesta MOT tests and 87.5% of 43,497 BMW i3 tests passed first time — 21.5 points in favour of the BMW i3. Once age, mileage and fuel are allowed for, the BMW i3 fails less often than the Ford Fiesta: 0.83× against 1.14× the national rate for comparable cars.
2,842,979 Ford Fiesta and 43,497 BMW i3 MOT tests, 2023–2024
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta: first-time pass rate | 66.0% | ±0.1 pts (95%), n = 2,842,979 |
| BMW i3: first-time pass rate | 87.5% | ±0.3 pts (95%), n = 43,497 |
| Ford Fiesta: failures vs similar cars | +14% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| BMW i3: failures vs similar cars | -17% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Ford Fiesta: dangerous defect | 8.5% | n = 2,842,979 |
| BMW i3: dangerous defect | 3.9% | n = 43,497 |
| Average age at test | 10 vs 4.9 years | Ford Fiesta vs BMW i3 |
Why the raw pass rates can mislead
The Ford Fiesta was tested at an older average age (10 years against 4.9), and older cars fail more often whatever they are. That is why the table above also shows failures against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel: it compares the models, not their fleets.
Failure areas side by side
Share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and in brackets how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = national average). The clearest difference is steering, where the Ford Fiesta fails 7.2 times as often on an adjusted basis.
| Area | Ford Fiesta | BMW i3 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 5.6% (-19%) | 0.8% (-55%) |
| Steering | 3.4% (+74%) | 0.1% (-76%) |
| Suspension | 12.3% (+29%) | 0.7% (-67%) |
| Tyres | 7.7% (+21%) | 5.6% (-13%) |
| Road wheels | 0.4% (+20%) | 0.5% (+183%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 16.0% (+34%) | 3.3% (-12%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 3.4% (-3%) | 0.2% (-37%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 4.8% (-4%) | 2.4% (-19%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% (+11%) | 0.3% (+140%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.7% (-22%) | 0.5% (+105%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% (+7%) | 0.2% (-3%) |
Pass rate at the same age
Comparing cars of the same age removes most of the fleet-age effect from the raw rates.
| Age at test | Ford Fiesta | BMW i3 |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 years | 86.9% (n = 268,100) | 89.8% (n = 15,185) |
| 5-6 years | 79.5% (n = 362,478) | 87.6% (n = 11,518) |
| 7-8 years | 69.2% (n = 468,161) | 85.0% (n = 8,080) |
| 9-10 years | 64.2% (n = 461,871) | 82.4% (n = 2,760) |
Most common failure item
- Ford Fiesta · stop lamp: not working (5.98% of tests)
- BMW i3 · condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (1.95% of tests)
MOT results reflect how cars are maintained as well as how they are built, so a gap between two models is a difference in test performance, not proof that one is more reliable. For one car, its own MOT history says more than any average.
Check a specific car
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.