Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 Ferrari 488?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2017 Ferrari 488?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2017 Ferrari 488?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2017 Ferrari 488 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 420 vehicles, the 2017 Ferrari 488 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 96.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2017 Ferrari 488?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2017 Ferrari 488 are: COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION (28.3% of vehicles), Front Registration plate missing (15.5% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (8.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2017 Ferrari 488?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Ferrari 488 (2017)

420 real MOT outcomes analysed • 96.5% first-time pass rate

2017 Ferrari 488

CarHunch analysed 420 real MOT records for the 2017 Ferrari 488. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 420 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2017 Ferrari 488 is exceptionally reliable by any standard, with a 96.5% first-time pass rate that towers 16.5 percentage points above the UK average—and dangerous defects are vanishingly rare at just 2.6% of the fleet. This is a supercar that's been properly maintained and engineered to perform.

These 420 cars have covered only 8,300 miles on average despite being seven years old, which reflects their role as weekend and collection pieces rather than daily drivers. With just 0.25 failures per vehicle and 1.1 advisories, the typical issue is minor wear rather than structural concern—if you're considering one, request the full MOT history to confirm consistent servicing rather than long idle periods between tests.

The 2017 Ferrari 488 passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (96.5% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

First-time pass

96.5%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

2.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.25

Over 5.9 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

Middle half: 5k–10k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 96.5% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

These stats describe 420 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 420 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 28.3%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Front Registration plate missing · Nearside Front Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view · …

Tyre wear 8.6%

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 3.7%

Offside Headlamp aim too high · Nearside Headlamp aim too high

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 420 Ferrari 488 cars.

Before you buy a 2017 Ferrari 488

Based on MOT data from 420 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 2.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,239 Ferrari 488 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 58.5%

725

Grey 11.4%

141

Black 9.7%

120

Blue 9.3%

115

White 4.8%

Yellow 4.6%

Silver 1.2%

Orange 0.5%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 Ferrari 488 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

7,837

typical

5,144

low mileage

10,074

high mileage

Half of all 2017 Ferrari 488 vehicles fall between 5,144 and 10,074 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 5,144 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 5,144–10,074 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 Ferrari 488s sit.

⚠ Over 13,599 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 Ferrari 488 — Still on the Road

Most 2017 Ferrari 488s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 337 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 87% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

5.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.25

Avg failures per vehicle

1.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ferrari 488: All 488 years → Which year to buy? →

2016 2018 2019

Or browse all models: Ferrari →

Compare with another model

See how the 2017 Ferrari 488 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?