2020 Ford Fiesta diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Ford Fiesta diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Ford Fiesta diesel than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Shock absorbers3× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  4.8% All 2020 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Wheels5.3× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  3.2% All 2020 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2020 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.

• Headlight aim2× usual
  Ford Fiesta

  3% All 2020 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Common 2020 Ford Fiesta diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Ford Fiesta diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  26% 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.

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

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

• Brakes
  10% 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.

• Suspension
  6% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  1% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2020 Ford Fiesta diesel

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.

• PowerShift automatic gearbox

  Automatic versions only

  Automatic Fiestas with the PowerShift gearbox can give jerky changes, hesitate, or in bad cases lose drive. Repairs can be expensive.

  At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, pull away gently from a standstill several times and drive in slow traffic. Any judder, clunk or hesitation is a warning sign.

  Source: Bumper: Ford Fiesta reliability guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Ford Fiesta diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2020 Ford Fiesta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the 2020 Ford Fiesta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2020 Ford Fiesta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?