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Ford Capri (1981)

662 real MOT outcomes analysed • 56.4% first-time pass rate

1981 Ford Capri

CarHunch analysed 662 real MOT records for the 1981 Ford Capri. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 23.6% below UK average
56.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
57,292
typical mileage
30,173–78,203 middle half
10.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.52
avg MOT failures per car
over 6.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1981 Ford Capri

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Ford Capri

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 660 56.3% 1.52
Other (0%) 1 100% 0
Diesel (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1981 Ford Capri vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

30,173
low mileage
57,292
typical
78,203
high mileage

Half of all 1981 Ford Capri vehicles fall between 30,173 and 78,203 miles.

1981 Ford Capri — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 45 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (25% of peak).

178 45 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

6.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.52
Avg failures per vehicle
5.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1981 Ford Capri

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 26.4%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
  • 26.2%
    Oil leak
  • 19.6%
    Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
  • 18%
    Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
  • 16.3%
    Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
  • 15.8%
    Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 14.4%
    Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 13.3%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1981. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Ford Capri?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Ford Capri:

1980 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987