Ford Fiesta vs Toyota Yaris: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota Yaris is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 6.4 percentage points more often than the Ford Fiesta once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 192,891 real tests, not a survey.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Ford Fiesta	72.3%	74.9%	-2.6	143,495
Toyota Yaris	79.5%	75.7%	+3.8	49,396

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

Ford Fiesta

Mk8 (2017–2023) · A supermini / small hatchback and one of the UK's most common used cars, competing with the Vauxhall Corsa, VW Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Peugeot 208.

The Ford Fiesta Mk8 (2017–2023) is a generally dependable used supermini, but the single most important thing to check on any 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol version is which timing system it has: earlier cars, broadly from launch into 2018/2019, carry the original 'wet' cam belt, which runs submerged in engine oil rather than as a dry belt, and if it isn't replaced in good time it can shred and send debris through the oil system, usually destroying the engine — Ford's original quoted interval was 10 years/150,000 miles (later tightened industry-wide to nearer 6 years/100,000 miles), but independent specialists strongly recommend replacement nearer 60,000–80,000 miles given how often belts have failed well inside those figures. Ford introduced a revised, chain-driven camshaft design during 2018–2019 that every mild-hybrid (mHEV) EcoBoost uses, which removes that specific catastrophic risk, though a smaller belt still runs in oil driving the oil pump on all versions, so no EcoBoost Fiesta is entirely risk-free. Because the change wasn't a clean model-year cut-off, never assume from registration year alone: always ask for the engine code or a VIN check, and for any car confirmed to have the original wet-belt engine ask for a dated invoice proving wet-belt replacement, not just a general service stamp, treating one with no such record as needing the job done immediately regardless of mileage. For a used buy, a post-facelift 2022–2023 car with mild-hybrid assistance and full Ford history is the safer choice, since it's the most likely to already carry the revised, lower-risk engine design. Be more cautious with an early 2017–2018 car carrying patchy service records, as these are most likely to still have the original wet-belt design and are now old enough and high-mileage enough to be at real-world risk of a catastrophic belt failure.

What goes wrong

Engine — 1.0 EcoBoost wet timing beltcritical
Engine rattle or knocking noise, sudden loss of power, warning lights, or complete engine failure if the belt sheds material into the oil system and blocks oil galleries or the pickup strainer; metallic debris can also show up in the oil at a routine service.
Broadly 2017 into 2018/2019: 1.0-litre EcoBoost non-hybrid Fiestas from this window most commonly have the original wet cam timing belt. Ford introduced a revised, chain-driven camshaft design during 2018–2019, which every 1.0 EcoBoost mild-hybrid (mHEV, 2020 on) version uses; these still have a separate, smaller wet belt driving the oil pump. The cut-over wasn't a clean model-year change, so confirm by engine code/VIN rather than assuming from year alone. Does not affect the naturally aspirated 1.1 Ti-VCT petrol. · For cars confirmed to have the original wet cam belt: Ford's original quoted interval was 10 years/150,000 miles (later tightened industry-wide to nearer 6 years/100,000 miles); independent specialists recommend replacement nearer 60,000–80,000 miles given how often belts have failed well inside those figures. · Roughly £600–£1,650 for a preventative belt replacement at an independent EcoBoost specialist (commonly £950–£1,200+VAT; significantly more at a main dealer); if the belt fails, a replacement or reconditioned engine typically runs £2,000–£4,000+, more in severe cases.
Check: Confirm the engine variant by engine code or VIN check rather than assuming from registration year alone. For any car confirmed to have the original wet-belt engine, ask for a dated invoice proving wet-belt replacement (not just a general service stamp), and budget for the job immediately if there's no such record, regardless of the odometer reading. Even on revised chain-cam/mHEV cars, ask about the condition of the separate oil-pump belt.
Body sealing — door seals, boot and rear footwellsminor
Damp carpets, a musty smell, water pooling in the boot floor or spare-wheel well, wet rear footwells, and — if left unresolved for a long time — electrical faults or corrosion from water sitting inside the car.
2017–2023, reported across the generation · Not mileage-related; can appear on low-mileage cars if a seal, grommet or drain point has failed · Resealing a door seal, boot seal or roof-rail drain point is typically £50–£150 in parts and labour if caught early; ignoring it can lead to far costlier electrical or interior repairs
Check: Lift the boot floor and spare-wheel cover and pull back the edges of the rear carpet to feel for damp or staining, sniff for a musty smell, and check the roof lining above the doors and around the rear pillars for water marks.
1.5 TDCi diesel particulate filter (DPF)major
Engine management light, limp mode or reduced power, poor fuel economy, black smoke under hard acceleration, and DPF-related MOT failures.
2017–2023, 1.5 TDCi diesel variants only · Can occur well inside 60,000–80,000 miles on cars used mainly for short, low-speed journeys that never let the filter fully regenerate · A forced regeneration or DPF clean is roughly £100–£300; a full DPF replacement can run to £1,000–£1,500+
Check: Ask how the car is normally driven (motorway runs vs. short urban trips), check the MOT history for DPF-related advisories or failures, and where possible take it on a drive long enough to let a regeneration complete during the test.
Front driveshaft spline noise (presents as a wheel-bearing fault)minor
A cracking or clicking noise from the front of the car when pulling away in first gear or reverse, most noticeable on full steering lock.
Most commonly reported on early Mk8 cars, 2017–2019 · Not primarily mileage-related — linked to insufficient sealant on the driveshaft splines from new rather than ordinary wear · £150–£350 per side if the driveshaft needs reworking or replacing; no charge if the car is still within Ford's original warranty
Check: On the test drive, do a slow pull-away on full steering lock in both directions and listen for a cracking or clicking noise from the front wheels; get any noise checked by a garage before buying, as it's usually the driveshaft rather than the bearing itself.

Typical asking price:: 2017–2018 1.0 EcoBoost/1.1 Ti-VCT: £6,000–£9,500 | 2019–2021 1.0 EcoBoost: £9,000–£13,000 | 2022–2023 mild-hybrid Titanium/ST-Line: £13,000–£18,000
Real-world economy:: 1.1 Ti-VCT: 47–52 mpg real-world. 1.0 EcoBoost 100/125: 45–50 mpg. 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV: 48–54 mpg. 1.5 EcoBoost ST: 34–39 mpg.
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2017, 2018

Full Fiesta fault guide Used Fords

Toyota Yaris

XP210, 2020+ · supermini hybrid hatch

The XP210 Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2020+) is among the most reliable cars sold in the UK. The hybrid system is solid; minor concerns are early-batch AC compressor failures, the 12V auxiliary battery on cars left unused, and brake squeak (cosmetic, common across all hybrids). The pre-2020 XP130 had rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — XP210 unaffected. Best-buy: any year. Worst: none.

What goes wrong

AC compressor (early-batch)moderate
AC blows warm; clicking from compressor
Early 2020 production · £650–£950 compressor + regas
Check: Test AC during inspection — should be cold within 1 minute on a warm day.
12V auxiliary battery (unused cars)minor
Hybrid system won't wake; "READY" not appearing
All XP210 · Battery age 4–5 years · £220–£350
Check: Toyota battery health check at dealer (£20–£30).
Brake squeak (regen)minor
Squeak at low speeds, fades with speed
All hybrids · Cosmetic
Check: Common, not a fault.
Touch 2 infotainment lagminor
Slow CarPlay response
2020–2022 · No fix — software limitation
Check: Use 10+ minutes during test drive to assess if liveable.

Typical asking price:: £14,000–£22,000 (2020–2024)
Real-world economy:: 63–74 mpg hybrid — best-in-class
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Full Yaris fault guide Used Toyotas

Which one suits you

Ford Fiesta

Good for: First-time buyers and anyone prioritising low running costs — cheap parts, low insurance groups and a huge independent-garage network. The 2020+ mild-hybrid EcoBoost is the safer pick for the wet-belt risk.

Less good for: Buyers wanting maximum rear legroom or boot space — this is a genuinely small car. A pre-2019 1.0 EcoBoost with no documented wet-belt history, given how expensive getting that wrong can be.

Toyota Yaris

Good for: Urban drivers, first-time buyers, anyone prioritising lowest running costs.

Less good for: Long-distance highway commuters wanting cabin space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Fiesta or the Toyota Yaris?

The Toyota Yaris. It passes its first MOT 6.4 percentage points more often than the Ford Fiesta once both are age-adjusted, across 192,891 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Fiesta?

72.3% of Ford Fiestas pass their MOT first time, from 143,495 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 74.9% — so it runs 2.6 points worse than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Yaris?

79.5% of Toyota Yariss pass their MOT first time, from 49,396 tests. Against the 75.7% that cars of its age average, it runs 3.8 points better.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Ford Fiesta, Launch-era 2017–2018 cars are now the oldest Fiesta Mk8s on the used market and the most likely to still carry the original wet cam timing belt rather than Ford's later revised chain-driven design, so they're most likely to be nearing or past the belt's safe replacement point without full documented history. This window is also most associated with the early cracking-noise driveshaft complaint, and these cars are furthest removed from the 2022 facelift's refinements. For the Toyota Yaris, No standout bad year in XP210. Pre-2020 XP130 had documented rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — that generation is the one to avoid.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Ford Fiesta returns 1.1 Ti-VCT: 47–52 mpg real-world. 1.0 EcoBoost 100/125: 45–50 mpg. 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV: 48–54 mpg. 1.5 EcoBoost ST: 34–39 mpg. in real UK driving; the Toyota Yaris returns 63–74 mpg hybrid — best-in-class. Vehicle tax: Fiesta — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; Yaris — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).. Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-08-30 / 2026-08-14.