1987 Ford Capri — MOT failures & pass rate
2,640 MOT tests on the 1987 Ford Capri are in this dataset, and 87.4% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (16.4% fail rate), the 1987 Capri comes out 3.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.4% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp and non catalyst emissions — service brake performance alone was recorded 99 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1987 Capri fails 10.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 14.2% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 13.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 222 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.8% | 126 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 107 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 101 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.2% | 84 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 70 |
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 | 99 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 93 |
| 3 | Non catalyst emissions | 91 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 85 |
| 5 | Washers | 83 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 63 |
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 | 13.9% | 366 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 271 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 243 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 205 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.0% | 131 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 117 |
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 | 742 | 10.9% |
| 30-60k | 733 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 914 | 12.3% |
| 90-120k | 239 | 14.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 550 | 13.5% |
| 2022 | 555 | 11.9% |
| 2023 | 515 | 11.7% |
| 2024 | 503 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 517 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 1987 Capri
On a 1987 Capri, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (4.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1987 Ford Capris pass their MOT?
87.4% of the 2,640 1987 Ford Capri MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Ford Capri?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.4% of tests, followed by brakes (4.8%).
Does the 1987 Capri get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,640 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.