1996 FERRARI F355 SPIDER3.5L Petrol

The vehicle’s most recent MOT test, conducted on 2025-10-30 at 26,114 miles, resulted in a clean pass with no defects recorded. Despite two consecutive failures in late 2025—one just two days prior to the pass—there is no evidence of recurring mechanical issues in the official record. The absence of advisories or defects across all tests suggests the tester did not identify any structural or safety-critical failures, though the lack of specific fault codes makes it impossible to determine whether minor or non-testable components were overlooked. The trend appears stable, though the repeated failures in October 2025 are unusual and warrant scrutiny of whether the vehicle was moved between tests or if the failures were procedural rather than mechanical. The recorded mileage of 26,114 miles over nearly three decades—approximately 870 miles per year—is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age. The gap between the 2022 pass at 24,892 miles and the 2023 failure at 26,075 miles represents a 1,183-mile increase over 14 months, a pace that, while slow, still implies the car was in regular use. The subsequent 2025 tests, conducted within a span of five days at nearly identical mileages, suggest either a deliberate retesting strategy or an administrative delay in processing. Such low mileage could indicate the vehicle was stored for extended periods, which may have contributed to issues like seized components or degraded fluids if maintenance was neglected during inactivity. Given the lack of specific fault details in the MOT history, a buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of high-wear items that are not routinely tested. The repeated failures in late 2025—despite identical mileages—raise suspicion of potential brake binding, suspension binding, or electrical faults that might not have been fully resolved. The 1996 Ferrari’s suspension bushes, coil springs, and steering components are particularly vulnerable to wear over three decades, as are the brake calipers and discs, which may exhibit uneven wear or corrosion. Additionally, the low mileage hints at possible fluid degradation—brake fluid, coolant, and differential oil should be checked for moisture contamination or oxidation. Structural integrity, including underbody corrosion and frame rigidity, should also be assessed, as rust can compromise the vehicle’s safety without always appearing in MOT records.