1987 Ford Capri 280 2.8L Petrol · E203 OAD

The 1987 Ford Capri 280 presents a stable and well-maintained roadworthiness record. The most recent MOT, conducted on 3 July 2023 at 8,785 miles, passed with zero defects recorded. This clean result, the first in the documented history without any advisory, indicates an improving maintenance trend. The single advisory noted in 2019 for an oil leak, assessed as not excessive, appears to have been rectified, as no further fluid loss or related defects have been flagged in subsequent tests. The mileage pattern is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age. Over the 39-year span from manufacture to the current date of June 2026, the recorded mileage of 8,785 equates to an average of roughly 225 miles per year. The MOT history confirms this minimal use chronologically. Between the June 2016 test at 7,958 miles and the June 2018 test at 8,053 miles, only 95 miles were added over two years. A similar pattern emerges between 2018 and 2019, with 369 miles added, and then a jump of 212 miles between September 2019 and September 2020. The vehicle then stood for approximately three years, with no further MOT recorded until July 2023, when the mileage remained static at 8,785 miles. This suggests the Capri has been largely stationary since mid-2023, and potentially for extended periods prior. Despite the clean recent MOT, a buyer must approach this vehicle with an understanding of the risks associated with prolonged static storage rather than high mileage wear. A thorough in-person inspection should focus on structural integrity, particularly the sills, floor pans, and arches, as a vehicle standing for long periods can suffer from surface corrosion that may not yet meet the threshold for an MOT failure but compromises long-term durability. The fuel system requires close scrutiny; stale fuel, degraded rubber hoses, and a blocked carburettor are common issues after years of inactivity. The braking system should be inspected for seized calipers, binding handbrake mechanisms, and corroded brake discs or drums, even if the 2023 test passed without advisories. Suspension components, including bushes and coil springs, may have deteriorated through age rather than use, and all tyres must be checked for date codes and perished sidewalls, as rubber degrades significantly over time regardless of tread depth. The single historical advisory for an oil leak warrants a careful examination of engine gaskets, rocker covers, and oil seals to confirm the issue remains resolved.