1986 Ford Capri — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1986 Ford Capri passed 84.5% of its 2,699 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (16.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests against 6.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, service brake performance and non catalyst emissions — headlamp alone was recorded 153 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1986 Capri fails 16.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 18.5% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.3 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 15.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 18.2% in 2021 to 12.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 336 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.9% | 186 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.0% | 134 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.7% | 127 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 127 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 98 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 153 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 151 |
| 3 | Non catalyst emissions | 125 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 125 |
| 5 | Washers | 103 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 103 |
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 | 15.4% | 417 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.3% | 360 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 282 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 227 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.3% | 197 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.7% | 180 |
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 | 735 | 16.2% |
| 30-60k | 840 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 819 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 287 | 18.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 587 | 18.2% |
| 2022 | 577 | 15.3% |
| 2023 | 541 | 14.6% |
| 2024 | 497 | 16.3% |
| 2025 | 497 | 12.7% |
What to check before buying a 1986 Capri
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.9% 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.
- Suspension (5.0% 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.
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 1986 Ford Capris pass their MOT?
84.5% of the 2,699 1986 Ford Capri MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1986 Ford Capri?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests, followed by brakes (6.9%).
Does the 1986 Capri get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.2% in the 0-30k band to 18.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,699 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.