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Ferrari F355 reliability by build year

Coverage 1994-19991 named generationCoupePETROL

We've only got 742 MOT tests for Ferrari F355 models built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Ferrari F355 built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Ferrari F355 models built before 2000 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Ferrari F355 by number plate

Key figure

8% of MOT tests on Ferrari F355 models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 11% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ferrari F355 models built before 2000 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Ferrari F355's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Emissions

Worth checking

Inspect the emissions carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your F355's generation

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

F355 F129

F129 (1994-1999)

Excellent
PETROL

7.8% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 6.1% and 10.0%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 742 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

Ferrari F355 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ferrari F355 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
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
7427.8%

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 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Ferrari F355 models

These issues come from 25+ year old Ferrari F355 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much 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

    2.7%
    Advisory: 37Fail: 3 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    2.3%
    Advisory: 33Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    1.9%
    Advisory: 14Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    1.8%
    Advisory: 25Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Petrol exhaust emissions

    1.4%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 10 (100% of the times it was found)

Based on 742 MOT tests on 25+ year old Ferrari F355 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Ferrari F355 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Suspension15%
  2. Lighting + Other12%
  3. Brakes + Lighting12%
  4. Lighting + Suspension12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 52 MOT tests on Ferrari F355 cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

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 F355.

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

4 recalls in all

All 4 Ferrari F355 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Risk of fire
  • Steering column shaft clamp bolt may have been insufficiently tightened
  • Possible damage to fuel tank during vehicle assembly could result in a fuel leak

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

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Jaguar XK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%

    No clear edge over the Ferrari F355 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,434 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    No clear edge over the Ferrari F355 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    10,428 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz CLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.8%

    No clear edge over the Ferrari F355 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,725 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    MG B GT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.4%

    No clear edge over the Ferrari F355 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,331 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
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 before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Ferrari F355 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 742 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Ferrari F355 ever sold: 742 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 742 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.