Lancia Thema Ie Turbo Abs (1989)
1989 Lancia Thema Ie Turbo Abs
CarHunch analysed 197 real MOT records for the 1989 Lancia Thema Ie Turbo Abs. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1989 Lancia Thema is a genuinely unreliable proposition: only 40% pass MOT first time against the UK average of 80%, and half of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a serious red flag for any buyer. The petrol engines fare no better, with an identical 40% pass rate offering no refuge from the model's fundamental issues.
At 113,000 miles these cars are appropriately aged for their vintage, but the real concern is what those miles reveal: while outright failures are rare (averaging just 0.01 per vehicle), advisories cluster at 0.2 per car, suggesting chronic wear in non-critical areas that compounds into expensive repairs. If you're considering one, budget for a full pre-purchase inspection by a Lancia specialist and expect to invest in preventative work before it reaches MOT—this isn't a car to buy cheap and hope for the best.
What to check before buying a 1989 Lancia Thema Ie Turbo Abs
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 Lancia Thema Ie Turbo Abs
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%) | 196 | 0.4% | 0.01 |
| Diesel (1%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1989 Lancia Thema Ie Turbo Abs 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 1989 Lancia Thema Ie Turbo Abs vehicles fall between 113,181 and 113,181 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Lancia Thema Ie Turbo Abs?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.