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Ford Sierra (1989)

6,516 real MOT outcomes analysed • 63.4% first-time pass rate

1989 Ford Sierra

CarHunch analysed 6,516 real MOT records for the 1989 Ford Sierra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 16.6% below UK average
63.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
48,772
typical mileage
25,255–73,940 middle half
9.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.39
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 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.

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 (94%) 6,140 63.5% 1.39
Diesel (6%) 370 60.1% 1.29
LPG (0%) 4 72.5% 1.75
Other (0%) 2 66.7% 1.5

Mileage Distribution

Most 1989 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.

25,255
low mileage
48,772
typical
73,940
high mileage

Half of all 1989 Ford Sierra vehicles fall between 25,255 and 73,940 miles.

1989 Ford Sierra — Still on the Road

284 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% of the peak remain.

520 284 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

4.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.39
Avg failures per vehicle
4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1989 Ford Sierra

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

  • 20.9%
    Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 19.7%
    Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
  • 17.7%
    Oil leak
  • 13.8%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 13.6%
    Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
  • 13.6%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 13.5%
    Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
  • 13.3%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1989. 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.

UK

Other model years — Ford Sierra:

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993