1987 Ferrari 328 — MOT failures & pass rate
297 MOT tests on the 1987 Ferrari 328 are in this dataset, and 93.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 20.6% of the time, so this is 14.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.7%) and emissions & environmental (3.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are non catalyst emissions, rear fog lamp and registration plate lamp(s) — non catalyst emissions alone was recorded 6 times.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 7.4% in 2021 to 5.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 11 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 9 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.4% | 7 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 3 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.0% | 3 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.7% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non catalyst emissions | 6 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 5 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 5 |
| 4 | Washers | 4 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 4 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.4% | 13 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.0% | 12 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 11 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.4% | 10 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.7% | 5 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 3 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 143 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 130 | 7.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54 | 7.4% |
| 2022 | 69 | 8.7% |
| 2023 | 62 | 4.8% |
| 2024 | 52 | 5.8% |
| 2025 | 60 | 5.0% |
What to check before buying a 1987 328
On a 1987 328, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Visibility (2.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1987 Ferrari 328s pass their MOT?
93.6% of the 297 1987 Ferrari 328 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Ferrari 328?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (3.0%).
Does the 1987 328 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 7.7% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 297 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.