1985 Ford Granada — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1985 Ford Granada passed 90.5% of its 580 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 20.0% of the time, so this is 10.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.7%) and suspension (4.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp — washers alone was recorded 22 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.8% in the 0-30k band and 5.8% in the 90-120k band, a 6.0-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 19.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 39 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.5% | 26 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.8% | 22 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 17 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.4% | 14 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.7% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 22 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 16 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 11 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 10 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
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 | 19.7% | 114 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 82 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 70 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.8% | 57 |
| 5 | Tyres | 9.3% | 54 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.6% | 38 |
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 | 195 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 130 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 180 | 6.7% |
| 90-120k | 69 | 5.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 137 | 12.4% |
| 2022 | 130 | 9.2% |
| 2023 | 110 | 6.4% |
| 2024 | 105 | 7.6% |
| 2025 | 98 | 11.2% |
What to check before buying a 1985 Granada
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.5% 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 (3.8% 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 1985 Ford Granadas pass their MOT?
90.5% of the 580 1985 Ford Granada MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1985 Ford Granada?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by suspension (4.5%).
Does the 1985 Granada get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 0-30k band to 5.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 580 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.