Sports car and convertible · 2005–2018 cars
Ferrari 458 reliability
The Ferrari 458 fails 3.9% of first MOT tests, 74% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 6,270 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Ferrari 458 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 3.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 74% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 6,270
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 1,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Ferrari 458 ages
Each point is the share of Ferrari 458s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Ferrari 458 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 3.3% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 3.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 4% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 3.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 4.5% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 5.2% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 2.3% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst Ferrari 458 years
2013 cars come out best and 2012 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 458 | 1,069 | 2.9% | 75% fewer fails | 4,390 |
| 2014 458 | 1,228 | 3.3% | 75% fewer fails | 11,620 |
| 2013 458 | 1,578 | 3.7% | 76% fewer fails | 15,992 |
| 2012 458 | 1,384 | 5.3% | 69% fewer fails | 17,032 |
| 2011 | 670 | 4.6% | 76% fewer fails | 20,139 |
| 2010 | 279 | 2.2% | 89% fewer fails | 22,628 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Ferrari 458
Its weak spot is number plates and vin: 817% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Number plates and VIN1.6%817% above avg
- Tyres0.8%74% below avg
- Lights and electrics0.7%85% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.7%77% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%52% below avg
- Brakes0.3%90% below avg
- Suspension0.2%95% below avg
- Wheels0%83% below avg
- Steering0%89% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Number plate missing or insecure 0.96% of tests
A missing or loose number plate is illegal and must be fixed before the car is used on the road.
- 2
Number plate does not meet standards 0.48% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty 0.24% of tests
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.19% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 5
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.19% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too high 0.18% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 7
Lambda reading outside specified limits 0.18% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.16% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ferrari 458's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.54%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.42%
- Shock absorber light oil misting0.43%
- Nail in tyre, monitor0.4%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit0.29%
- Tyre showing slight damage0.27%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Ferrari 458
- 1
Number plate missing or insecure
A missing or loose number plate is illegal and must be fixed before the car is used on the road.
- 2
Number plate does not meet standards
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Ferrari 458 covers about 1,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Red, Black, White, Grey, Yellow
Average engine size: 4.5 litres.
Compare
How the Ferrari 458 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari 458 | 3.9% | 74% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DBS | 4.6% | 71% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Skyline | 14.2% | 60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan 370 Z | 14.3% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Abarth 124 Spider | 9.6% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Coupe | 27.6% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Brera | 34.8% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Ferrari models.
Questions
Ferrari 458 questions, answered
Is the Ferrari 458 reliable?
On MOT results, the Ferrari 458 is better than average: it fails 3.9% of first MOT tests, 74% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Ferrari 458 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Ferrari 458 are number plate missing or insecure (0.96% of tests), number plate does not meet standards (0.48% of tests), tyre pressure monitoring system faulty (0.24% of tests). By area, number plates and vin fails 1.6% of its tests.
Which Ferrari 458 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2012 cars do worst (69% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Ferrari 458 do a year?
A typical Ferrari 458 covers about 1,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Ferrari 458 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
Found a Ferrari 458? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.