Car statistics by year

1999 Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta cars first registered in 1999: how they did at their 2025 MOT, what failed them, how far they have been driven and how many are still on the road. Compared with every car first registered in 1999, so like is set against like.

A year of the Ford Fiesta. “1999” is the year of first registration.

Last updated
Records analysed
1,170 MOT tests of 1999 Ford Fiesta cars
Methodology
View methodology
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 56.8% All 1999 cars 65.4%
  • Typical mileage at the MOT 64,400 miles; all 1999 cars 94,800
  • Left at the end of 2025 4,498 13.1% of the 34,323 at the end of 2014
  • Tests finding a dangerous defect 10.2% All 1999 cars 6.8%
  • Tests with an advisory 72.1% All 1999 cars 61.7%
  • MOT tests in 2025 1,170 normal tests in Great Britain

How do 1999 Ford Fiestas do at their MOT?

In 2025, at about 26 years old, 56.8% of 1999 Ford Fiesta MOT tests were passed first time, against 65.4% for all cars first registered in 1999. 1999 Ford Fiestas did worse than average for their age, by 8.6 points. A year earlier the same cars passed 52.1% of the time (all 1999 cars 63.8%).

MOT pass rate by year of first registration: Ford Fiesta vs all cars

Each pair of bars is one year of first registration, tested in 2025. Older cars pass less often, so compare each Ford Fiesta bar with the all-cars bar beside it.

MOT first-time pass rate in 2025 by year of first registration, Ford Fiesta compared with all cars
First registered Ford FiestaAll cars
’98 53.7%67.1%
’99 56.8%65.4%
’00 54.4%63.1%
’01 56.4%61.5%
’02 56.4%59.7%
’03 55.2%58.9%
’04 53.8%57.9%
’05 53.2%57.7%
’06 52.5%56.9%
’07 53.3%57.3%
’08 53.0%57.0%
’09 53.8%58.2%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT failures on the 1999 Ford Fiesta

Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength was the most common single reason a 1999 Ford Fiesta failed, on 24.0% of about 500 failed tests. By area of the car, suspension failed most often (53.3% of failed tests; all 1999 cars 34.8%). 10.2% of tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 6.8% for all cars first registered in 1999. A failed test can have several defects, so shares add up to more than 100%.

Most common reasons for failure

Share of failed tests with each defect. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Most common specific MOT defects on failed 1999 Ford Fiesta tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension 24.0%
Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure 14.5%
Service brake imbalance: across an axle Brakes 13.1%
Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements Brakes 12.3%
Seat belts: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 10.7%
Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension 9.3%
Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes 8.5%
Exhaust system: major leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure 8.1%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility 5.9%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility 5.7%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Failure categories: Ford Fiesta vs all 1999 cars

The marker shows the share for all cars first registered the same year.

Share of failed 1999 Ford Fiesta MOT tests with a defect in each category, with all 1999 cars for comparison
Category Share of failed tests
Suspension 53.3%
Brakes 42.8%
Body, chassis, structure 33.7%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 28.9%
Visibility 15.8%
Tyres 13.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks 13.1%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 12.7%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common MOT advisories on the 1999 Ford Fiesta

An advisory is something the tester noticed that did not fail the test but may need work soon. 72.1% of 1999 Ford Fiesta tests had at least one (all 1999 cars 61.7%). These are the things to check on one you are thinking of buying.

Most common advisories

Most common MOT advisories on 1999 Ford Fiesta tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension 21.2%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes 19.8%
Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres 15.0%
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 14.7%
Component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Suspension 10.8%
Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle 9.9%
Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks 9.1%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes 8.5%
Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated Brakes 8.3%
Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure 6.5%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

What mileage is normal for a 1999 Ford Fiesta?

Half of the 1999 Ford Fiestas tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 64,400 miles. A quarter had covered fewer than 46,100 and a quarter more than 84,100. For all cars first registered in 1999, the middle figure was 94,800 miles, so 1999 Ford Fiestas have been driven 32.1% less far than average.

Mileage at the 2025 MOT

Odometer readings at each car’s latest MOT of the year. The bar covers the middle half of cars; the line the middle 80%.

Odometer readings at the 2025 MOT, 1999 Ford Fiesta and all 1999 cars, by percentile
10% 25% Median 75% 90% Cars
1999 Ford Fiesta 31,600 46,100 64,400 84,100 102,300 1,113
All 1999 cars 44,400 66,000 94,800 128,700 166,000 48,891
miles

Half of the 1999 Ford Fiestas tested in 2025 had covered fewer than 64,400 miles.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

How many 1999 Ford Fiestas are left?

At the end of 2014, 34,323 1999 Ford Fiestas were on the DVLA record in the United Kingdom (these counts start in 2014). By the end of 2025, 4,498 were: 942 licensed and 3,556 declared off the road (SORN). That is 13.1% still on the record, against 23.9% for all cars first registered in 1999.

Share still on the record since 2014

Cars licensed or SORN at each year end, as a share of the number at the end of 2014. Cars scrapped or exported leave the record. Late registrations and imports can push the share above 100%.

1999 Ford Fiestas on the DVLA record at each year end as a share of the number at the end of 2014, compared with all 1999 cars
Year end 1999 Ford FiestaAll 1999 cars
2014 100.0%100.0%
2015 78.1%82.3%
2016 59.6%67.6%
2017 43.9%54.8%
2018 33.6%45.6%
2019 27.0%39.4%
2020 22.9%35.4%
2021 19.3%31.6%
2022 17.3%29.3%
2023 15.7%27.4%
2024 14.1%25.2%
2025 13.1%23.9%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2025 Updated

Recalls that may affect cars built around 1999

None of the Ford Fiesta’s 31 recalls in DVSA’s records has build dates that include 1999. 2 have no build dates, so could apply to any year.

The 1999 on this page is the year of first registration, not the year the car was built. A car first registered early in 1999 may have been built in 1998, and recalls apply to particular build dates and VINs, so check the recalls either side too.

Every Ford Fiesta recall · Check a specific car on GOV.UK · How we match recalls

Recall details come from manufacturers through DVSA. “Vehicles” is the number the manufacturer reported; “all models” means the figure covers everything in the recall. A recall listed here may not apply to a particular car: only the manufacturer or GOV.UK can say for its VIN.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated

Other years of the Ford Fiesta

25 years of the Ford Fiesta, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2022 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (91.0% passed first time) and the 1998 cars worst (53.7%).

Ford Fiestas by year of first registration
Year Registered Left Pass rate All cars
1998 3,890 53.7% 67.1%
1999 4,498 56.8% 65.4%
2000 5,232 54.4% 63.1%
2001 7,376 56.4% 61.5%
2002 10,722 56.4% 59.7%
2003 16,131 55.2% 58.9%
2004 19,204 53.8% 57.9%
2005 22,300 53.2% 57.7%
2006 35,941 52.5% 56.9%
2007 44,491 53.3% 57.3%
2008 47,994 53.0% 57.0%
2009 80,256 53.8% 58.2%
2010 76,625 55.3% 59.3%
2011 76,563 57.7% 61.5%
2012 92,320 58.5% 63.6%
2013 105,647 60.5% 66.0%
2014 126,800 115,265 62.4% 69.1%
2015 129,713 118,433 64.9% 72.6%
2016 117,075 108,019 67.5% 75.6%
2017 91,256 86,356 74.5% 79.1%
2018 93,786 90,681 82.8% 81.8%
2019 76,548 74,488 84.7% 84.4%
2020 48,097 47,370 86.1% 86.9%
2021 26,995 26,446 88.6% 88.4%
2022 24,895 23,683 91.0% 89.4%

Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
MOT results and mileage Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring
2025 1,170 MOT tests of 1999 Ford Fiesta cars 15 September 2026
Cars on the record Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of 2025 4,498 cars still on the record (licensed or SORN) 15 September 2026
  • MOT figures cover normal tests in Great Britain in 2025 of Ford Fiesta cars first registered in 1999; retests are excluded. “All cars” means every car we match to a model, first registered in 1999.
  • Year of first registration is DVSA’s first-use date: when the car was first registered, in the UK or abroad.
  • Defects and advisories are DVSA’s descriptions made readable. Where on the car a defect was found (side, front or rear) is ignored, so the same fault on any wheel counts once per test.
  • Mileage is the odometer reading at each car’s latest normal MOT of the year, as recorded by the tester. A few readings are in kilometres or mistyped; percentiles are not thrown by a handful of outliers.
  • Cars on the record come from DfT table VEH0124 and cover the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland; MOT figures cover Great Britain only.
  • DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.