Ford Sierra (1988)
1988 Ford Sierra
CarHunch analysed 4,425 real MOT records for the 1988 Ford Sierra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1988 Ford Sierra
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
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 (96%) | 4,249 | 49.7% | 1.04 |
| Diesel (4%) | 175 | 55.1% | 1.16 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 0% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1988 Ford Sierra 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 Sierra vehicles fall between 26,160 and 75,367 miles.
1988 Ford Sierra — Still on the Road
203 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 66% of the peak remain.
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 Sierra
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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17.5%
Oil leak
-
17.3%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
-
16%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
14.4%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
-
12.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
11.8%
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split
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11.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
11.7%
Offside Steering rack gaiter split
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1988. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Sierra?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.