1989 Ferrari 328 — MOT failures & pass rate
588 MOT tests on the 1989 Ferrari 328 are in this dataset, and 95.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 21.3% of the time, so this is 17.0pp 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 (3.1%) and emissions & environmental (1.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, non catalyst emissions and headlamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 6 times.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 6.6% in 2021 to 1.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 18 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 7 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.7% | 4 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 3 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.5% | 3 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.3% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 6 |
| 2 | Non catalyst emissions | 5 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 5 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 4 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 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 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 15 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.4% | 14 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.2% | 13 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.5% | 9 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.7% | 4 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 4 |
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 | 321 | 4.0% |
| 30-60k | 233 | 3.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 122 | 6.6% |
| 2022 | 124 | 7.3% |
| 2023 | 114 | 0.9% |
| 2024 | 106 | 4.7% |
| 2025 | 122 | 1.6% |
What to check before buying a 1989 328
On a 1989 328, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (1.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Visibility (0.7% 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 1989 Ferrari 328s pass their MOT?
95.8% of the 588 1989 Ferrari 328 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Ferrari 328?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (1.2%).
Does the 1989 328 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.0% in the 0-30k band to 3.9% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 588 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.