Ferrari California Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ferrari California car check
Is the Ferrari California reliable? We analysed 17,395 real MOT tests across 1,785 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ferrari California? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ferrari California is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ferrari California.
Ferrari California Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ferrari California. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ferrari California MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ferrari California to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ferrari California Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ferrari California fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ferrari California Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ferrari California models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ferrari California Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ferrari California owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ferrari California MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ferrari California year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 50 | 88.0% | 1,502 | 7,219 | 10,820 |
| 2017 | 984 | 96.6% | 6,708 | 10,560 | 16,620 |
| 2016 | 1,699 | 94.8% | 8,184 | 13,028 | 17,579 |
| 2015 | 2,273 | 93.5% | 8,765 | 13,762 | 20,162 |
| 2014 | 1,281 | 93.8% | 9,462 | 15,456 | 22,342 |
| 2013 | 1,139 | 93.9% | 10,863 | 15,868 | 22,384 |
| 2012 | 1,661 | 92.5% | 11,880 | 18,262 | 27,032 |
| 2011 | 2,080 | 92.5% | 11,381 | 18,598 | 28,406 |
| 2010 | 3,413 | 91.4% | 12,177 | 20,013 | 29,843 |
| 2009 | 2,642 | 90.8% | 14,559 | 22,688 | 33,411 |
How Long Does a Ferrari California Last?
Based on 1,785 Ferrari California vehicles on UK roads.
Ferrari California Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ferrari California MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ferrari California
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.6% MOT pass rate from 984 tests
88.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
The best year to buy a used Ferrari California is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.6% across 984 tests. The 2018 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ferrari California Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrari California THIS CAR | 92.8% | 17,395 | 16,907 mi | 17 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 |
| Volkswagen Polo Life TSI | 91.9% | 13,961 | 22,564 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ferrari 360 (90.3% pass rate) and the Ferrari F430 (89.8% pass rate), the Ferrari California outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ferrari California you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ferrari CaliforniaShould you buy a used Ferrari California?
The Ferrari California has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.8% across 17,395 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 California are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (63 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (44), and registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (43). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ferrari California with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Ferrari California owner drives around 1,287 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 California models stay on UK roads for around 17 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.