Ferrari California
From 4,283 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Californias fare better: 2017 models pass at 98.1% vs 96.1% for 2010.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a headlamp or light source missing and inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 29 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre seriously damaged | 29 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 28 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 12 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 11 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 11 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 9 |
| number plate missing or so insecure that it is likely to fall off | 6 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 6 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 6 |
| headlamp aim unable to be tested | 6 |
Ferrari California on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 5 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 1 newly registered, a net loss of 4.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 1,301 | 191 | +0 | -0 | +5 |
| 2025 Q2 | 1,318 | 169 | +1 | -0 | +17 |
| 2025 Q1 | 1,155 | 315 | +0 | -0 | +17 |
| 2024 Q4 | 1,125 | 328 | +0 | -5 | -5 |
| 2024 Q3 | 1,284 | 174 | +0 | -0 | +3 |
| 2024 Q2 | 1,313 | 142 | +0 | -0 | +49 |
| 2024 Q1 | 1,208 | 198 | +0 | -39 | -39 |
| 2023 Q4 | 1,168 | 277 | +0 | -21 | -21 |
3 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| California 2 Plus 2 S-A | Petrol | 692 | 54% |
| California T Dd Hele S-A | Petrol | 387 | 30% |
| California T Dd S-A | Petrol | 214 | 17% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 98.1% | - |
| 2016 | 94.7% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, number plate missing or so insecure that it is likely to fall off |
| 2015 | 95.8% | a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2014 | 97% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
5 earlier years
| 2013 | 91.9% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2012 | 96.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, any fracture or welding defect on a wheel |
| 2011 | 96.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, number plate missing or so insecure that it is likely to fall off |
| 2010 | 96.1% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2009 | 95.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
Typical mileage
Half of all Californias tested had between 13,278 and 25,158 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 18,262 median miles, the California has 0.023 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Ferrari models
| Ferrari 488 | 96.8% |
| Ferrari F430 | 95.7% |
| Ferrari Portofino S-A | 95.6% |
| Ferrari F355 | 92.8% |
| Ferrari 360 | 94.1% |
Common questions
What is the Ferrari California MOT pass rate?
The Ferrari California has a 95.8% MOT pass rate based on 4,283 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Ferrari California?
The most common MOT failure on the Ferrari California is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 29 failures. Other common issues include wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen.
How many Ferrari Californias are on UK roads?
There are 1,301 Ferrari Californias currently licensed on UK roads, with 191 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Ferrari California at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Ferrari California is 18,262 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 13,278 and 25,158 miles.
Buying a used California?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.