Lincoln Continental Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lincoln Continental car check
Is the Lincoln Continental reliable? We analysed 1,121 real MOT tests across 184 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lincoln Continental? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lincoln Continental is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, brake hose excessively deteriorated and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lincoln Continental.
Lincoln Continental Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lincoln Continental. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lincoln Continental MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lincoln Continental to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lincoln Continental Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lincoln Continental fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lincoln Continental Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lincoln Continental owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lincoln Continental MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lincoln Continental year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 63 | 79.4% | 17,684 | 44,995 | 75,118 |
| 2000 | 55 | 89.1% | 31,409 | 56,394 | 62,132 |
| 1999 | 65 | 72.3% | 56,263 | 99,436 | 137,629 |
| 1995 | 59 | 66.1% | 63,938 | 69,270 | 110,488 |
| 1990 | 51 | 94.1% | 16,212 | 69,314 | 72,694 |
| 1978 | 52 | 76.9% | 52,739 | 61,534 | 62,352 |
How Long Does a Lincoln Continental Last?
Based on 184 Lincoln Continental vehicles on UK roads.
Lincoln Continental Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lincoln Continental 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 Lincoln Continental
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.1% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
66.1% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
The best year to buy a used Lincoln Continental is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.1% across 51 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lincoln Continental Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Continental THIS CAR | 80.8% | 1,121 | 57,822 mi | 48 yrs |
| Lincoln Town Car Auto | 72.1% | 7,129 | 123,648 mi | 31 yrs |
| Lincoln Towncar | 69.4% | 3,290 | 128,422 mi | 34 yrs |
| Lincoln Town Car | 73.7% | 2,774 | 113,266 mi | 38 yrs |
| Toyota Yaris T3 D-4D | 77% | 1,191 | 124,547 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Lincoln Town Car Auto (72.1% pass rate) and the Lincoln Towncar (69.4% pass rate), the Lincoln Continental outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Lincoln Continental 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 Lincoln ContinentalShould you buy a used Lincoln Continental?
The Lincoln Continental has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.8% across 1,121 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 Lincoln Continental are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (32 recorded failures), brake hose excessively deteriorated (29), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (28). 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 Lincoln Continental owner drives around 476 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 Lincoln Continental models stay on UK roads for around 48 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.