2004 Ford Fiesta petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Ford Fiesta petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Ford Fiesta petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Rigid brake pipes1.8× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  30.6% All 2004 cars

  17.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Coil springs1.6× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  17.2% All 2004 cars

  10.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Brake lights2.1× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  11.7% All 2004 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 4.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  10.7% All 2004 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Wheels3.9× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  5.9% All 2004 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Common 2004 Ford Fiesta petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Ford Fiesta petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  44% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  40% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  35% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Exhaust and emissions
  12% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2004 Ford Fiesta petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Power steering belt recall

  All engines

  The power steering drive belt could break up and snap, so the steering suddenly goes heavy. There was a recall to fit a new belt.

  At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done, and look at the belt for cracks.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

• Rear axle recall

  Some cars

  Some cars were recalled because a weld on the rear axle wasn’t up to standard. The axle was replaced free.

  At the viewing: Ask whether the rear axle recall was done.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

• Sticky change into third gear

  Manual gearbox

  Worn synchro rings make the change into third and fourth feel sticky. It’s a gearbox-out job for a specialist.

  At the viewing: Change up and down through third and fourth several times and feel for stiffness or crunching.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

• Air con that stops working

  Cars with air con

  The air con can stop working, or the compressor runs all the time, usually because of a faulty pressure switch.

  At the viewing: Make sure the air con blows cold and switches off properly.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

• Grinding from the front

  All engines

  A worn driveshaft centre bearing makes a grinding noise from under the front.

  At the viewing: Listen for grinding when turning and at speed.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Fiesta Mk6 common problems (2002-2008)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Ford Fiesta petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2004 Ford Fiesta petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2004 Ford Fiesta petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2004 Ford Fiesta petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?