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Ferrari 512 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Ferrari 512 reliable? We analysed 1,689 real MOT tests across 204 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,689 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.4%
Typical Mileage
23,118mi
Annual Mileage
174mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
49yrs

The Ferrari 512 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and fog lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ferrari 512.

Ferrari 512 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Ferrari 512. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Ferrari 512 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Ferrari 512 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

93.3%
1996
90.3%
1995
84.7%
1994
93.8%
1993
87.1%
1992
87.3%
1984
86.8%
1983
88.9%
1982
84.4%
1980
84.4%
1979
89.1%
1977

Ferrari 512 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Ferrari 512 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 19
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 15
fog lamp not working 14
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive 12
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 11
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 10
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive 10
Headlamp aim too low 9
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 9
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 8

Ferrari 512 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Ferrari 512 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
43 mi/yr
Typical
174 mi/yr
Average
555 mi/yr
Heavy usage
564 mi/yr

Ferrari 512 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ferrari 512 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1996 104 93.3% 4,852 8,150 25,804
1995 257 90.3% 7,939 11,020 18,831
1994 281 84.7% 13,580 21,414 27,019
1993 241 93.8% 10,932 20,073 28,638
1992 225 87.1% 25,883 34,924 52,172
1984 71 87.3% 14,736 20,578 27,602
1983 68 86.8% 16,816 24,528 34,401
1982 81 88.9% 19,025 28,900 37,076
1980 64 84.4% 23,746 38,078 51,786
1979 90 84.4% 22,077 41,686 52,809
1977 55 89.1% 14,063 17,512 25,582

How Long Does a Ferrari 512 Last?

Based on 204 Ferrari 512 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
28.8 years
Median
30.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
49 years

Ferrari 512 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Ferrari 512 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
23,118 mi
75th Percentile
35,121 mi
95th Percentile
65,561 mi
Max Recorded
180,075 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Ferrari 512

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1993

93.8% MOT pass rate from 241 tests

Year to avoid
1979

84.4% MOT pass rate from 90 tests

The best year to buy a used Ferrari 512 is 1993, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.8% across 241 tests. The 1979 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Ferrari 512 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ferrari 512 THIS CAR 88.4% 1,689 23,118 mi 49 yrs
Ferrari 360 90.3% 28,453 23,409 mi 27 yrs
Ferrari F430 89.8% 24,536 15,630 mi 21 yrs
Ferrari F355 88.1% 19,604 29,762 mi 32 yrs
Ford Kuga Titanium First ED Eblue A 90.4% 616 28,360 mi — yrs

Compared to the Ferrari 360 (90.3% pass rate) and the Ferrari F430 (89.8% pass rate), the Ferrari 512 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Ferrari 512?

The Ferrari 512 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.4% across 1,689 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Ferrari 512 are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (19 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (15), and fog lamp not working (14). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Ferrari 512 owner drives around 174 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Ferrari 512 models stay on UK roads for around 49 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Ferrari 512 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ferrari 512 reliable?
Based on 1,689 MOT tests, the Ferrari 512 has a 88.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Ferrari 512?
The most common MOT failures are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, and fog lamp not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Ferrari 512 do per year?
The typical Ferrari 512 does around 174 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ferrari 512 last?
Most Ferrari 512 models stay on UK roads for around 49 years based on our analysis of 204 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ferrari 512?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Ferrari 512?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Ferrari 512 is 1993 with a 93.8% pass rate across 241 tests.