Ferrari California MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 1,329 class-4 normal initial MOT tests in 2024, 93.6% passed without an initial fail or PRS repair — above the 71.2% UK average. Pass rate moves with age: 94.1% of cars aged 6–9 years passed first time, against 93.3% aged 15–30 years.
Checking a Ferrari California?
Model-level statistics cannot reveal the condition or provenance of one car.
Check its registration free for the actual MOT, tax and mileage record. Before buying, the optional £9.99 full history check adds outstanding-finance, stolen and insurance write-off checks.
Pass rate by vehicle age
| Age | Tests | Initial pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 6–9 years | 544 | 94.1% |
| 10–14 years | 650 | 93.2% |
| 15–30 years | 135 | 93.3% |
Common initial failure categories
These are the items that most often caused a Ferrari California to fail its first test, with what each one usually means for a buyer.
- Condition — 1.9% of tests. Corrosion, damage or wear on a tested component. Worth seeing in person, as the cost ranges from trivial to structural.
- Registration Plates — 1.5% of tests. A damaged, dirty or non-compliant number plate.
- Shock Absorbers — 0.7% of tests. Leaking or worn dampers. Replaced in pairs and noticeable in how the car rides.
- Wipers — 0.6% of tests. Worn wiper blades. Minutes to fix, and a fair hint that servicing was skipped.
- Headlamp Aim — 0.6% of tests. Headlights pointing too high or low. Cheap to adjust, and common on every make.
- Direction Indicators — 0.4% of tests. An indicator fault, usually a bulb or relay.
What this does and does not tell you
A pass rate describes how a population of cars behaved on test day. It says nothing about how one car was driven, serviced or repaired, and an MOT does not cover the engine, clutch or gearbox at all.
Use it to know what to look for: if tyres and brakes dominate the list, price those in; if corrosion or suspension appears, get underneath the car. Then check the individual vehicle — its MOT history shows whether these same items have been advised year after year, and its mileage record shows whether the reading is consistent.
How many Ferrari California are left?
At the end of 2026 Q1, DfT recorded 1,152 licensed and 371 SORN vehicles in the Ferrari California generic-model group.
Licensed and SORN trend for the Ferrari California
Before you buy
- Condition — 1.9% of tests in 2024. Corrosion, damage or wear on a tested component. Worth seeing in person, as the cost ranges from trivial to structural.
- Registration Plates — 1.5% of tests in 2024. A damaged, dirty or non-compliant number plate.
- Shock Absorbers — 0.7% of tests in 2024. Leaking or worn dampers. Replaced in pairs and noticeable in how the car rides.
- Wipers — 0.6% of tests in 2024. Worn wiper blades. Minutes to fix, and a fair hint that servicing was skipped.
- Ask why it was off the road — Of the 1,523 California vehicles still on the DVLA record, 1 in 4 is SORN (371 at 2026 Q1). A car that has been laid up needs a closer look at brakes, tyres and the MOT history.
- Check the actual California — These figures describe the model group. Enter the registration for that vehicle's free MOT, tax and mileage record before you pay a deposit.
Other Ferrari models
- Ferrari 488 — 95.3% pass
See every Ferrari model MOT pass rate
Common questions
What is the Ferrari California MOT pass rate?
93.6% of 1,329 class-4 initial MOT tests on the Ferrari California passed first time in 2024 — above the 71.2% UK average.
Why does the California fail its MOT?
The most common initial failure categories are condition (1.9% of tests), registration plates (1.5% of tests), shock absorbers (0.7% of tests), wipers (0.6% of tests).
How many Ferrari California are left in the UK?
1,152 were licensed and 371 were SORN at the end of 2026 Q1, according to DfT and DVLA statistics for this generic-model group.
Does this tell me whether one particular California is a good buy?
No. These are population statistics. Enter that car's registration for its own MOT, tax and mileage record, then check outstanding finance, write-off and stolen markers before buying.
Methodology and limitations
MOT outcomes describe testable items at the time of inspection. They are not a measure of overall mechanical reliability.
Scope: Class 4 normal initial MOT tests completed in 2024. Models require at least 1,000 qualifying tests. Duplicate source rows are removed using official DVSA test IDs.
Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published 2025-05-23 under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check the actual car
Enter the registration for that car's own free MOT, tax and mileage record. Before money changes hands, the £9.99 full history check adds outstanding finance, insurance write-off and stolen checks.