Ford Granada (1988)
1988 Ford Granada
CarHunch analysed 1,700 real MOT records for the 1988 Ford Granada. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Ford Granada has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 55%, well below the UK average of 80%, which means roughly half of these cars fail their test outright. With only 7.5% having ever recorded a dangerous defect, safety isn't the primary concern—it's the sheer volume of wear-related failures you should expect.
At around 115,000 miles on the clock, these Granadas are showing their age, and the data reflects it: owners are dealing with an average of 1.19 failures and 3.3 advisories per test, indicating persistent mechanical and cosmetic issues. If you're considering one, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a specialist and factor in regular repair costs, because these cars will need ongoing attention to keep road-legal.
What to check before buying a 1988 Ford Granada
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 Granada
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 1,688 | 55.2% | 1.19 |
| Diesel (1%) | 12 | 28.3% | 0.42 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Ford Granada 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.
Half of all 1988 Ford Granada vehicles fall between 87,217 and 139,875 miles.
1988 Ford Granada — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 24 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (32% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1988 Ford Granada
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
19%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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18.6%
Oil leak
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17.6%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
16.3%
Offside Steering rack gaiter split
-
15.2%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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14.6%
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split
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13.5%
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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13.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Granada?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.