Used car guide

1997 Ferrari F355: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Ferrari F355s, from 197 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 197 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

197MOT tests in 2025
94%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
1,300typical miles a year
5%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1997 Ferrari F355 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    5% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    4% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    4% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    2% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1998159Suspension 9%
1996126Tyres 5%
1995101Exhaust and emissions 4%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Ferrari F355s registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score