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Ferrari Testarossa Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Ferrari Testarossa reliable? We analysed 4,775 real MOT tests across 527 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,775 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.3%
Typical Mileage
22,769mi
Annual Mileage
188mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
41yrs

The Ferrari Testarossa is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, fog lamp not working and brake hose bulging under pressure. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ferrari Testarossa.

Ferrari Testarossa Number Plates

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

Ferrari Testarossa MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

87.3%
1993
87.7%
1992
89.9%
1991
91.6%
1990
89.7%
1989
88.8%
1988
87.2%
1987
87.1%
1986
87.2%
1985

Ferrari Testarossa Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

brake binding 42
fog lamp not working 34
Brake hose bulging under pressure 23
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside 22
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 22
Registration plate lamp not working 22
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 19
Stop lamp not working 19
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 18
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 18

Ferrari Testarossa Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
57 mi/yr
Typical
188 mi/yr
Average
504 mi/yr
Heavy usage
500 mi/yr

Ferrari Testarossa MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1993 181 87.3% 18,464 26,829 35,555
1992 227 87.7% 15,480 23,205 32,916
1991 968 89.9% 12,478 21,904 30,685
1990 1,048 91.6% 11,872 20,717 28,513
1989 756 89.7% 15,420 22,846 31,794
1988 475 88.8% 10,542 23,413 43,021
1987 382 87.2% 15,428 24,862 36,308
1986 349 87.1% 16,244 23,821 45,083
1985 141 87.2% 15,266 23,382 40,920

How Long Does a Ferrari Testarossa Last?

Based on 527 Ferrari Testarossa vehicles on UK roads.

Average
29.9 years
Median
32.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
41 years

Ferrari Testarossa Mileage Distribution

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

Median
22,769 mi
75th Percentile
33,586 mi
95th Percentile
61,352 mi
Max Recorded
184,002 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Ferrari Testarossa

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

Best year
1990

91.6% MOT pass rate from 1,048 tests

Year to avoid
1986

87.1% MOT pass rate from 349 tests

The best year to buy a used Ferrari Testarossa is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.6% across 1,048 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Ferrari Testarossa Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ferrari Testarossa THIS CAR 89.3% 4,775 22,769 mi 41 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 Camper 73.5% 5,097 58,949 mi 54 yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Ferrari Testarossa?

The Ferrari Testarossa has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.3% across 4,775 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 Testarossa are brake binding (42 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (34), and brake hose bulging under pressure (23). 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 Testarossa owner drives around 188 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 Testarossa models stay on UK roads for around 41 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 Testarossa — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ferrari Testarossa reliable?
Based on 4,775 MOT tests, the Ferrari Testarossa has a 89.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Ferrari Testarossa?
The most common MOT failures are brake binding, fog lamp not working, and brake hose bulging under pressure. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Ferrari Testarossa do per year?
The typical Ferrari Testarossa does around 188 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ferrari Testarossa last?
Most Ferrari Testarossa models stay on UK roads for around 41 years based on our analysis of 527 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ferrari Testarossa?
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 Testarossa?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Ferrari Testarossa is 1990 with a 91.6% pass rate across 1,048 tests.