Ford Fiesta vs Ford Thunderbir: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Ford Fiesta
73%
MOT pass rate · 2,835,744 vehicles
Ford Thunderbir
88%
MOT pass rate · 2 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Ford Fiesta (73%) and Ford Thunderbir (88%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Ford Fiesta | Ford Thunderbir |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 73% | 88% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 27% | 12% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.1 | 0.2 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 2% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 84,529 mi | 32,449 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 2,835,744 | 2 |
Most common faults
Ford Fiesta
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Ford Thunderbir
- Both front tyres wearing low on edges and offside front has a nail in the tread
- Both offside tyres starting to perish
- Nearside rear brake hose slightly twisted
- Top and bottom movement in steering column
- Vehicle fitted with black and silver number plates. Although these are not road legal they aren't failable items at this time due to the VOSA Oct 2007 rules being suspended.
- Windscreen wipers clearing screen poorly
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Ford Fiesta (73%) and Ford Thunderbir (88%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Ford Fiesta report Full Ford Thunderbir report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.