1986 Ford Capri 2.0L Petrol · D631 DUE

A clean four-year stretch of MOT results establishes a reassuring picture of roadworthiness for this forty-year-old Ford Capri, with the most recent assessment on 5 July 2025 returning a pass and no defects or advisories recorded. The pattern is notably consistent: passes were also issued in September 2023, July 2024, and September 2022, alongside a single failure on 10 September 2022 that also carried no recorded reasons, suggesting either a rectification made between the same-day re-test and the recorded pass or an administrative entry rather than a substantive mechanical issue. Across the entire available record there is no history of advisory items relating to corrosion, suspension wear, brake deterioration, or exhaust condition, which is a strong indicator that the chassis, mechanical components, and structural integrity have been maintained to a standard that satisfies annual inspection requirements. The absence of recurring or escalating advisories over four consecutive tests points to a stable, well-preserved condition rather than a vehicle showing progressive wear. The recorded mileage of 23,380 against a 1986 registration translates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 584 miles, which is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age and suggests a history dominated by short runs, seasonal use, or extended periods of storage rather than regular daily driving. Such limited use carries its own mechanical considerations: prolonged standing can lead to dried seals in the drivetrain, flat-spotted or perished tyres, degraded fuel system components, and stiff suspension bushes that only reveal themselves once the car is driven over uneven surfaces. Conversely, the very low mileage means wear-sensitive items such as brake discs, clutch components, and engine internals are unlikely to have suffered from high-mileage fatigue. There are no obvious anomalies in the MOT record such as sudden mileage jumps or prolonged testing gaps spanning multiple decades, so the usage profile appears consistent throughout the recorded history rather than reflecting a recent recommissioning after a long lay-up. Given the clean advisory history and low recorded mileage, the inspection focus for a prospective buyer should centre on the issues most commonly encountered on low-use classics of this era. On a test drive, listen for knocks or clonks from the front suspension over uneven roads, paying particular attention to the front wishbone bushes, MacPherson strut top mounts, and anti-roll bar drop links, as these components harden and crack with age regardless of mileage and can produce noisy, imprecise handling when deteriorated. Check for any pulling under braking or uneven pedal feel, as seized caliper slide pins and corroded brake pipes are common on cars that have seen limited use, even where the MOT has not flagged an issue. Inspect the underside for surface corrosion on subframe mounting points, inner sills, and floor pans, as MOT testing does not always expose early structural oxidation, particularly on vehicles kept in dry storage. Additional checks should include a thorough examination of the cooling system for perished hoses and the condition of the radiator, as glycol-based coolant loses its corrosion-inhibiting properties over decades irrespective of mileage. With the engine running from cold, look for any signs of smoke from the exhaust, excessive oil misting around the cam cover or sump gasket, and listen for timing chain rattle on start-up, all of which are age-related concerns for the Kent or Essex engines fitted to later Capris. Confirm that the fuel system has been recently attended to, as stale petrol in the carburettor float chamber or perished fuel lines can cause running issues that would not necessarily appear on an MOT. Finally, verify that the tyres are of recent manufacture and check the sidewalls for cracking, as old tyres on a low-mileage car are a frequent safety oversight and the MOT visual check will not always catch subtle perishing if the tread depth remains legal.