Ferrari California MOT pass rate and common problems
97.4% of 4,746 Ferrari California MOT tests pass.
The California's pass rate of 97.4% is in line with the average across all Ferrari models, at 97.1%.
The Ferrari California passes its MOT 97.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Ferrari California?
This is the average across every Ferrari California in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Ferrari’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 97.7% at 6–10 years to 90.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (9) | 9 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 97.7% | 2,588 | 17,836 miles |
| 10–15 years | 97.4% | 2,054 | 28,347 miles |
| 15+ years | 90.5% | 95 | 38,282 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ferrari California
The most common reason the Ferrari California fails its MOT is identification of the vehicle — present in 39.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not conform to the specified requirements".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Identification of the vehicle | 39.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 34.9% | Too high |
| Tyres | 22.0% | Has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Visibility | 18.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 16.5% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Brakes | 5.0% | Efficiency less than 50% of the required value |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.2% | Fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 0.9% | Fractured |
| Steering | 0.5% | Modification unsafe |
Buying a used Ferrari California: what to check
These checks follow the Ferrari California’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Ferrari California comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 97.4% to 90.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 95.0% down to 83.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 39.9% of failed Ferrari California MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 34.9% of failed Ferrari California MOTs. 6.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.0% at 6–10 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 22.0% of failed Ferrari California MOTs. 6.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 0.8% at 6–10 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 18.3% of failed Ferrari California MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 16.5% of failed Ferrari California MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Ferrari service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Ferrari models
- Ferrari 488 — 98.8% pass rate
- Ferrari F430 — 96.5% pass rate
- Ferrari Portofino — 96.9% pass rate
- Ferrari 812 Superfast — 98.4% pass rate
- Ferrari 360 — 94.8% pass rate
- Ferrari F355 — 95.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ferrari California?
- 97.4% of Ferrari California MOT tests pass, based on 4,746 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ferrari California?
- The most common reason the Ferrari California fails its MOT is identification of the vehicle — present in 39.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not conform to the specified requirements".
- What are the common problems with the Ferrari California?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ferrari California are number plates and vin; lights and electrics; tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used Ferrari California?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: number plates and vin; lights and electrics; tyres; windscreen and wipers; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Ferrari California's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Ferrari service history guide for how to check and keep one.