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Ford Capri reliability by build year

Coverage 2024-present1 named generationPETROL
At a glance

Ford Capri built before 2000: fails its MOT less often than average

Ford Capris built before 2000 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Ford Capri by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Ford Capris built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 27% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford Capris built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Leaks

Worth checking

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

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension 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.

Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

14.8% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

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

From 2,247 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

By age

Ford Capri fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ford Capri 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
2,24714.8%

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 Ford Capris

These issues come from 25+ year old Ford Capris, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    10.3%
    Advisory: 276Fail: 5 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    6.3%
    Advisory: 186Fail: 12 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    5.2%
    Advisory: 107Fail: 16 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    4.9%
    Advisory: 125Fail: 36 (22% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    4.7%
    Advisory: 175Fail: 14 (7% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,247 MOT tests on 25+ year old Ford Capris, 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 Ford Capris notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Other23%
  2. Lighting + Other20%
  3. Other + Suspension19%
  4. Brakes + Suspension19%

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

Across 584 MOT tests on Ford Capri 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 Ford Capri.

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

3 of the 8 Ford Capri recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • 26S06 Capri explorer - torque inspection on various joints
  • Explorer / Capri : front seat back inspection
  • 25S79 explorer Capri - ground connection inspection

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

Like-for-like

Similar cars to compare

Similar cars to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Land Cruiser

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.7%

    No clear edge over the Ford Capri on these figures.

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

    2,723 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Isuzu Trooper

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    15%
    Dangerous
    6.5%

    No clear edge over the Ford Capri on these figures.

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

    1,296 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Mitsubishi Shogun

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.5%
    Dangerous
    3.8%

    No clear edge over the Ford Capri on these figures.

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

    1,833 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Toyota Land Cruiser

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.1%

    No clear edge over the Ford Capri on these figures.

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

    1,544 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Ford Capri across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,247 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Ford Capri ever sold: 2,247 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 2,247 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.