Ford Capri MOT pass rate & common failures
The Ford Capri appears in 11,785 MOT tests spanning model years 1980–2021, and 86.0% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 15.6% of the time, so this is 1.6pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.9% of tests against 5.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp and non catalyst emissions — service brake performance alone was recorded 537 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Capri fails 14.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 15.4% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.3 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 15.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 15.7% in 2021 to 12.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Capri model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 213 | 92.0% | 8.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1981 | 388 | 91.0% | 9.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1982 | 476 | 87.6% | 12.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1983 | 1,394 | 85.2% | 14.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1984 | 1,890 | 85.0% | 15.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1985 | 1,820 | 84.9% | 15.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1986 | 2,699 | 84.5% | 15.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1987 | 2,640 | 87.4% | 12.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1988 | 194 | 92.8% | 7.2% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 1,168 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 692 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.2% | 496 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.2% | 492 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 473 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 381 |
| 7 | Steering | 1.9% | 230 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.0% | 123 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 537 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 468 |
| 3 | Non catalyst emissions | 453 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 435 |
| 5 | Washers | 394 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 371 |
| 7 | Service brake imbalance | 228 |
| 8 | Position lamp | 225 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.2% | 1,787 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 1,342 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.7% | 1,263 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 982 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.1% | 719 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.0% | 587 |
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 | 3,332 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 3,210 | 14.5% |
| 60-90k | 3,815 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,369 | 15.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,801 | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 2,620 | 13.8% |
| 2023 | 2,429 | 13.3% |
| 2024 | 2,074 | 14.2% |
| 2025 | 1,861 | 12.5% |
What to check before buying a Ford Capri
- Lighting & signalling (9.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.9% 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.
- Visibility (4.2% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Capri?
86.0% of the 11,785 Ford Capri MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 14.0% fail rate, across model years 1980–2021.
What does the Ford Capri most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.9% of tests, then brakes (5.9%).
How much does mileage affect Capri MOT results?
Fail rates run at 14.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 15.4% for 90-120k, a 1.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,785 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.