1982 Ford Capri — MOT failures & pass rate
476 MOT tests on the 1982 Ford Capri are in this dataset, and 87.6% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 14.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.0%) and suspension (5.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, non catalyst emissions and component mounting prescribed areas — service brake performance alone was recorded 22 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 9.9% versus 15.5%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 16.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 38 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.9% | 28 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.3% | 25 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 20 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.2% | 20 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 16 |
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 | 22 |
| 2 | Non catalyst emissions | 21 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 20 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 6 | Washers | 16 |
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 | 16.8% | 80 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 10.9% | 52 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 44 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 43 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 24 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.8% | 23 |
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 | 142 | 15.5% |
| 30-60k | 121 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 141 | 9.9% |
| 90-120k | 71 | 9.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 168 | 13.7% |
| 2022 | 134 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 70 | 5.7% |
| 2024 | 53 | 11.3% |
| 2025 | 51 | 17.6% |
What to check before buying a 1982 Capri
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (5.3% 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 1982 Ford Capris pass their MOT?
87.6% of the 476 1982 Ford Capri MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1982 Ford Capri?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.0% of tests, followed by suspension (5.9%).
Does the 1982 Capri get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.5% in the 0-30k band to 9.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 476 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.