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Ferrari F355 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Ferrari F355 car check

Is the Ferrari F355 reliable? We analysed 19,604 real MOT tests across 1,431 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 19,604 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.1%
Typical Mileage
29,762mi
Annual Mileage
435mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Ferrari F355 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ferrari F355.

Ferrari F355 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Ferrari F355. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Ferrari F355 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Ferrari F355 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

88.9%
2000
88.4%
1999
87.6%
1998
88.1%
1997
89.4%
1996
87.5%
1995
88.6%
1994

Ferrari F355 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Ferrari F355 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 442
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 348
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive 270
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 205
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 126
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive 124
parking brake recording little or no effort 105
Headlamp aim too low 104
Brake hose bulging under pressure 102

Ferrari F355 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Ferrari F355 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
148 mi/yr
Typical
435 mi/yr
Average
918 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,087 mi/yr

Ferrari F355 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ferrari F355 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 54 88.9% 22,695 27,752 70,900
1999 2,430 88.4% 16,926 25,136 34,511
1998 4,621 87.6% 18,046 25,571 34,774
1997 4,922 88.1% 21,254 31,311 43,934
1996 3,763 89.4% 21,636 31,029 42,141
1995 3,031 87.5% 25,846 34,852 44,903
1994 555 88.6% 26,506 37,941 55,004

How Long Does a Ferrari F355 Last?

Based on 1,431 Ferrari F355 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
23.7 years
Median
26.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Ferrari F355 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Ferrari F355 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
29,762 mi
75th Percentile
40,671 mi
95th Percentile
64,130 mi
Max Recorded
354,020 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Ferrari F355

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

Best year
1996

89.4% MOT pass rate from 3,763 tests

Year to avoid
1995

87.5% MOT pass rate from 3,031 tests

The best year to buy a used Ferrari F355 is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.4% across 3,763 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Ferrari F355 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ferrari F355 THIS CAR 88.1% 19,604 29,762 mi 32 yrs
Ferrari 360 90.3% 28,453 23,409 mi 27 yrs
Ferrari F430 89.8% 24,536 15,630 mi 21 yrs
Ferrari California 92.8% 17,395 16,907 mi 17 yrs
Tata Loadbeta 62.6% 12,316 49,835 mi 31 yrs

Compared to the Ferrari 360 (90.3% pass rate) and the Ferrari F430 (89.8% pass rate), the Ferrari F355 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Ferrari F355?

The Ferrari F355 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.1% across 19,604 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 F355 are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (442 recorded failures), exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (348), and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (270). 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 F355 owner drives around 435 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 F355 models stay on UK roads for around 32 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 F355 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ferrari F355 reliable?
Based on 19,604 MOT tests, the Ferrari F355 has a 88.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Ferrari F355?
The most common MOT failures are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits, and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Ferrari F355 do per year?
The typical Ferrari F355 does around 435 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ferrari F355 last?
Most Ferrari F355 models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 1,431 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ferrari F355?
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 F355?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Ferrari F355 is 1996 with a 89.4% pass rate across 3,763 tests.