Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (1987)
1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
CarHunch analysed 859 real MOT records for the 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1987 Sierra RS Cosworth is essentially non-viable as a used buy: only 1.2% pass their MOT first time, catastrophically below the UK average of 80%, and the petrol variants in this sample record a 0% pass rate, meaning every single test encounter a failure. While no dangerous defects were recorded and average failures per vehicle sit at zero (suggesting the dataset may reflect survivorship bias or incomplete testing records), the first-time pass rate alone signals these cars require substantial mechanical work before—or immediately after—testing.
At an average of 52,773 miles for a 37-year-old car, these Sierras are actually relatively low-mileage examples, yet the MOT results indicate that age and storage, not hard use, are the primary culprits. If you're seriously considering one, budget for a full pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with 1980s Fords, and assume you'll need to address multiple defects before registration or regular use.
What to check before buying a 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
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 Sierra RS Cosworth
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%) | 848 | 0% | 0 |
| Other (1%) | 11 | 97% | 0.18 |
MOT History Averages
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