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Ford Fiesta Mk7 vs Mk8: MOT Reliability Compared (1.5M Tests)

The Ford Fiesta has been Britain's default small car for years — which makes one question especially important for used buyers:

Is the newer Fiesta (Mk8) actually more reliable than the old one (Mk7), or is it just newer?

To answer that properly, you need scale — not anecdotes. So we analysed over 1.5 million MOT tests and compared two generations head-to-head:

  • Fiesta Mk7: 2008–2016
  • Fiesta Mk8: 2017–2023

If you want the broader context on why age matters, read this first:

And if you’re interested in why older small cars often fail on suspension:

The headline: Mk8 is dramatically more reliable

GenerationYearsTotal TestsPass RateFail Rate
Mk72008–20161,179,14177.96%22.04%
Mk82017–2023352,65392.40%7.60%

That’s roughly a 65% reduction in MOT failures moving from Mk7 to Mk8.

This isn’t a “small improvement.” It’s the difference between:

  • “Expect a fail occasionally” (Mk7)
  • “Failures are the exception” (Mk8 — in this age band)

Why the gap is so big: Ford fixed the Mk7’s structural weak point

When you look at what each generation fails on, the story becomes clear.

Mk7: suspension dominates

In Mk7-era failure patterns, the dominant issues include:

  • Suspension pins/bushes/joints worn
  • Springs fractured/weakened
  • Stub axle / swivel pin wear
  • Tyres (as always)

That’s the classic “older small car on UK roads” failure profile: potholes + wear + corrosion = suspension problems.

Mk8: mostly maintenance items

The Mk8 shifts towards:

  • Tyres
  • Brake wear
  • Some shock absorber / washer issues

That’s a much healthier profile for a used buyer: it’s not that the car never fails — it’s that it fails on predictable consumables, not underlying platform weaknesses.

Equivalent-age comparisons: Mk8 holds up better as it ages

A fair criticism is “Mk8 is newer, of course it passes more.”

So we compared performance at similar points in life where the data allows.

The dataset shows that even when Mk8 cars reach mid-life, they remain strong relative to where Mk7 cars sit at older ages — consistent with better long-term durability.

How does Fiesta compare to its key rivals?

Fiesta is often cross-shopped against:

In this analysis snapshot:

  • At around 5 years, the Polo tends to edge the Fiesta slightly.
  • At around 7 years, the Fiesta can lead — suggesting strong “middle age” durability.
  • At around 10 years (Mk7 era), it’s competitive but no longer clearly ahead.

So if your goal is “a small car that ages well,” the Mk8 Fiesta is far more compelling than the Mk7.

Which Fiesta should you buy? A practical used-buying guide

If you want the safest bet

Target the Mk8 (2017+) unless budget forces you older.

Within Mk8, the data suggests strong performance across trims — but if you want to stack the odds further:

  • Look for good maintenance history (tyres/brakes done on time).
  • Don’t ignore shock absorber condition on some year/variant combinations.

If you’re buying a Mk7 (and many people will)

Mk7s can still be good cars — but you should buy them like a mechanic, not like a brochure.

Before buying, prioritise:

  • Suspension knocks, uneven tyre wear, vague steering feel
  • Springs and bushes (ask for invoices if replaced)
  • Corrosion and brake pipes on older examples (especially if you’re shopping 10+ years)

To sanity-check any Fiesta you're viewing, use:

Use the data properly: don’t buy “Fiesta,” buy “this Fiesta”

This is where Pre MOT Check is most useful.

A Mk8 Fiesta can be excellent — but you still want to know:

  • What the most common failure reasons are for that specific year
  • Whether the year has a strong sample size
  • What to inspect before booking an MOT

Check your car’s MOT stats by number plate

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Enter the reg exactly as it appears on the plate.

Related reading

If you're shopping for small cars, you might also find these useful:

Methodology & data sources

  • Data source: DVSA MOT test results (anonymised), processed into the Pre MOT Check database.
  • Tests analysed: 1,531,794 Ford Fiesta tests across model years 2008–2023.
  • Grouping: Fiesta generation split into Mk7 (2008–2016) and Mk8 (2017–2023).
  • Metrics: pass rate, fail rate, test volume; plus common failure reason patterns by generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, Ford Fiesta Mk7 or Mk8?

The Mk8 is significantly more reliable. Based on 1.5 million MOT tests, the Mk8 (2017-2023) has a 7.60% fail rate compared to 22.04% for the Mk7 (2008-2016). That's roughly 65% fewer failures – a dramatic improvement, not a marginal one.

What are the most common problems with Ford Fiesta Mk7?

The Mk7's main MOT weaknesses are suspension-related: worn pins, bushes and joints, fractured springs, and stub axle wear. This is the classic 'older small car on UK roads' profile where potholes and corrosion take their toll. Tyres are also a common failure point.

Is a 2015 Ford Fiesta reliable?

A 2015 Fiesta (late Mk7) will show higher MOT failure rates than Mk8 models, primarily due to suspension wear. It can still be a good buy if well maintained – but inspect suspension carefully, check for spring/bush replacements, and expect some MOT failures over ownership.

Should I buy a Ford Fiesta Mk7 or Mk8?

If budget allows, the Mk8 (2017+) is the better long-term bet with ~65% fewer MOT failures. Mk8 failures are mostly tyres and brakes (normal maintenance), while Mk7 failures include costly suspension issues. If buying Mk7, prioritise examples with documented suspension work and inspect thoroughly before purchase.

Key takeaways

  • The Mk8 Fiesta shows a dramatic reliability jump: ~65% fewer MOT failures than Mk7.
  • Mk7 failures skew towards suspension and structural wear — costly and annoying.
  • Mk8 failures skew towards tyres and brakes — normal maintenance items.
  • If you’re buying used, the Mk8 is the better long-term ownership bet — but always validate by year + variant + sample size on the model pages.