1994 Ferrari 348 — MOT failures & pass rate
258 MOT tests on the 1994 Ferrari 348 are in this dataset, and 92.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 23.8% of the time, so this is 16.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — emissions & environmental (3.5%) and lighting & signalling (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 12 times.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 13.6% in 2021 to 5.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 9 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 8 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.9% | 5 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.2% | 3 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.2% | 3 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.8% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 12 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 3 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2 |
| 4 | Steering rack | 2 |
| 5 | Wipers | 2 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 2 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.7% | 12 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.3% | 11 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.9% | 10 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 8 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.9% | 5 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.6% | 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 | 63 | 9.5% |
| 30-60k | 177 | 7.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 44 | 13.6% |
| 2022 | 56 | 7.1% |
| 2023 | 50 | 8.0% |
| 2024 | 52 | 3.9% |
| 2025 | 56 | 5.4% |
What to check before buying a 1994 348
On a 1994 348, emissions & environmental is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Emissions & environmental (3.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- 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.
- Brakes (1.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 1994 Ferrari 348s pass their MOT?
92.6% of the 258 1994 Ferrari 348 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1994 Ferrari 348?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.1%).
Does the 1994 348 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 0-30k band to 7.3% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 258 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.