Skip to main content
Check
Ferrari

Ferrari California reliability by build year

Coverage 2009-20172 named generationsConvertiblePETROL

We've only got 243 MOT tests for Ferrari Californias built around 2015 (10 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Ferrari California built around 2015: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Ferrari Californias built around 2015 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Ferrari California by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Ferrari California's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates rose, then fell back. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your California's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

California T

California T (2014-2017)

Excellent
PETROL

5.2% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Likely between 2.8% and 9.3%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 193 MOT tests at this ageView details →
California

California (2009-2013)

Excellent
PETROL

6.8% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Likely between 3.8% and 11.7%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 163 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Ferrari California.

See every build year for the Ferrari California

Side-by-side

Ferrari California generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
California T (2014-2017)
Excellent
Excellent5.2%likely between 2.8% and 9.3%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 193 MOT tests at this age
California (2009-2013)
Excellent
Excellent6.8%likely between 3.8% and 11.7%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 163 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the California, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Ferrari California fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ferrari California ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
586.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1935.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2402.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2434.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
885.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1145.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1636.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1908.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2395.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
6116.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 16 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 10-year-old Ferrari Californias

These issues come from 10-year-old Ferrari Californias, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.2%
    Advisory: 27Fail: 2 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    5.3%
    Advisory: 17Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    2.1%
    Advisory: 4Fail: 2 (33% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    0.8%
    Advisory: 4Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    0.8%
    Advisory: 4Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 243 MOT tests on 10-year-old Ferrari Californias, every generation combined.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Ferrari California.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

8 recalls in all

6 of the 8 Ferrari California recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Airbag may not deploy correctly
  • Risk of fire
  • Drivers airbag may not deploy correctly

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Mercedes-Benz SLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.8%
    Dangerous
    6.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.7%

    No clear edge over the Ferrari California on these figures.

    5,861 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  2. 2

    MINI Roadster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.8%

    No clear edge over the Ferrari California on these figures.

    1,408 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  3. 3

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    3.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the Ferrari California on these figures.

    3,248 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  4. 4

    BMW Z4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.3%
    Dangerous
    7.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    No clear edge over the Ferrari California on these figures.

    2,161 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2015 (10 years old), the Ferrari California across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 243 10-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Ferrari California ever sold: 1,589 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2015 (10 years old): 243 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.