1998 Ferrari F355 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 856 MOT tests, the 1998 Ferrari F355 recorded a 91.6% pass rate. That is 17.1 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.5%. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — emissions & environmental (4.2%) and lighting & signalling (3.3%) 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 steering rack — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 53 times.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 36 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 28 |
| 3 | Steering | 1.6% | 14 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 11 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.8% | 7 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.7% | 6 |
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 | 53 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 3 | Steering rack | 14 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 8 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 7 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 6 |
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 | 4.8% | 41 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.1% | 35 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.0% | 17 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 16 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.8% | 15 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.4% | 12 |
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 | 452 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 373 | 9.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 172 | 8.7% |
| 2022 | 176 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | 169 | 7.7% |
| 2024 | 172 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 167 | 9.0% |
What to check before buying a 1998 F355
On a 1998 F355, emissions & environmental is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Emissions & environmental (4.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (3.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (1.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 1998 Ferrari F355s pass their MOT?
91.6% of the 856 1998 Ferrari F355 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Ferrari F355?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.3%).
Does the 1998 F355 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 9.4% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 856 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.