1992 Ford Sierra — MOT failures & pass rate
1,718 MOT tests on the 1992 Ford Sierra are in this dataset, and 84.8% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (18.7% fail rate), the 1992 Sierra comes out 3.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.9%) and suspension (6.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 102 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.4% in the 0-30k band and 11.4% in the 90-120k band, a 4.0-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 18.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.3% in 2021 to 12.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 119 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.0% | 104 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 88 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 87 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.4% | 76 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.6% | 45 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 102 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 77 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 39 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 34 |
| 6 | Non catalyst emissions | 31 |
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 | 18.2% | 312 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 279 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 242 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 207 |
| 5 | Tyres | 9.2% | 158 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.8% | 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 | 563 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 434 | 16.8% |
| 60-90k | 486 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 219 | 11.4% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,674 | 15.2% |
| Diesel | 44 | 18.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 394 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 339 | 14.4% |
| 2023 | 362 | 16.0% |
| 2024 | 328 | 14.9% |
| 2025 | 295 | 12.9% |
What to check before buying a 1992 Sierra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (5.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Sierras pass their MOT?
84.8% of the 1,718 1992 Ford Sierra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Ford Sierra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by suspension (6.0%).
Does the 1992 Sierra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 11.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,718 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.