1992 Ford Sierra Sapphire — MOT failures & pass rate
296 MOT tests on the 1992 Ford Sierra Sapphire are in this dataset, and 90.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (22.9% fail rate), the 1992 Sierra Sapphire comes out 13.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.1%) and brakes (3.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, flexible brake hoses and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 11 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1992 Sierra Sapphire fails 14.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 11.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 12.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 18 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.4% | 10 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.4% | 10 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 10 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 7 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.4% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 11 |
| 2 | Flexible brake hoses | 8 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 4 | Non catalyst emissions | 7 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 6 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 5 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 12.5% | 37 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 36 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 29 |
| 4 | Tyres | 9.1% | 27 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 22 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.7% | 14 |
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 | 92 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 83 | 3.6% |
| 60-90k | 67 | 9.0% |
| 90-120k | 53 | 11.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 62 | 8.1% |
| 2022 | 57 | 7.0% |
| 2023 | 60 | 11.7% |
| 2024 | 62 | 12.9% |
| 2025 | 55 | 7.3% |
What to check before buying a 1992 Sierra Sapphire
On a 1992 Sierra Sapphire, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.4% 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 (3.4% 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 1992 Ford Sierra Sapphires pass their MOT?
90.5% of the 296 1992 Ford Sierra Sapphire MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Ford Sierra Sapphire?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by brakes (3.4%).
Does the 1992 Sierra Sapphire get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 0-30k band to 11.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 296 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.