Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (1988)
1988 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
CarHunch analysed 1,557 real MOT records for the 1988 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1988 Sierra RS Cosworth has a 70% first-time MOT pass rate, which trails the UK average of 80%, suggesting these cars face more frequent issues than typical vehicles of their age. The good news is that dangerous defects are virtually non-existent at 0%, and the average vehicle carries only 0.01 failures per test, indicating that when problems do arise they're typically minor.
At an average mileage of 55,136 miles for a 36-year-old car, these Sierras are genuinely well-preserved examples—far lower than you'd expect—which explains the relatively clean failure record and explains why the pass rate gap is modest rather than dramatic. Before buying, request the full MOT history to verify that pattern holds for your specific car, since age-related wear on fuel systems and electrics will be your real concern on a vehicle this old.
What to check before buying a 1988 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%) | 1,542 | 0% | 0 |
| Other (1%) | 14 | 79.8% | 0.71 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Ford Sierra RS Cosworth?
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