Major defect: the vehicle failsCoil spring fractured or broken
DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 5.3.1 (b) (i)
The coil springs hold the car up at each corner. The tester found one cracked or broken, often with a short piece snapped off one end. Springs are usually replaced in pairs on the same axle.
Can it be driven away? Only if its current MOT is still valid and no dangerous problem was listed, and it must still be roadworthy. GOV.UK rule
1 in 43of all MOTs fail on it
1%repaired during the test
1 in 14failed on it again at the next MOT
What happened after the fail
Repaired during the test1%
Passed a retest within 35 days94%
Not passed within 35 days4%
By age
0102030+ yrs
Highest at 13 years old: 4% of MOTs.
By mileage
0100k200k+ mi
Highest at 110k to 120k miles: 4% of MOTs.
Models that fail on this more than other cars their age
Renault Grand ModusOther cars its age: 4 in 10013 in 100
Renault ModusOther cars its age: 4 in 10012 in 100
Renault LagunaOther cars its age: 3 in 10011 in 100
Fiat BravoOther cars its age: 4 in 10010 in 100
Vauxhall VectraOther cars its age: 4 in 10010 in 100
Vauxhall CorsavanOther cars its age: 3 in 10010 in 100
Vauxhall SignumOther cars its age: 4 in 10010 in 100
Chevrolet OrlandoOther cars its age: 3 in 1009 in 100
22 more models
Vauxhall AstravanOther cars its age: 4 in 1009 in 100
Renault Grand ScenicOther cars its age: 3 in 1009 in 100
Citroen DS3Other cars its age: 3 in 1009 in 100
Alfa Romeo 159Other cars its age: 4 in 1009 in 100
Renault ClioOther cars its age: 3 in 1009 in 100
Chevrolet CruzeOther cars its age: 3 in 1008 in 100
Alfa Romeo MitoOther cars its age: 3 in 1008 in 100
Fiat QuboOther cars its age: 3 in 1008 in 100
Vauxhall MerivaOther cars its age: 3 in 1008 in 100
Citroen NemoOther cars its age: 3 in 1008 in 100
Peugeot BipperOther cars its age: 3 in 1008 in 100
Vauxhall CascadaOther cars its age: 2 in 1007 in 100
Chrysler YpsilonOther cars its age: 3 in 1007 in 100
Vauxhall AstraOther cars its age: 3 in 1007 in 100
Vauxhall ComboOther cars its age: 2 in 1007 in 100
Vauxhall CorsaOther cars its age: 3 in 1006 in 100
Vauxhall InsigniaOther cars its age: 2 in 1006 in 100
Volvo V40Other cars its age: 2 in 1006 in 100
Fiat FiorinoOther cars its age: 2 in 1006 in 100
Mercedes-Benz 190Other cars its age: 0.4 in 1002 in 100
Mercedes-Benz 300Other cars its age: 0.4 in 1001 in 100
MG 5 ExclusiveOther cars its age: 0.3 in 1000.7 in 100
Out of every 100 MOTs on each model. Models with 20,000 or more MOTs, well above other cars their age, highest first.
Counted from DVSA records of 286,058,652 MOTs,
20 May 2018 to 18 October 2026. A test and its
retests count as one MOT.
About other vehicles, not a prediction for yours: for what to do,
ask a garage. Spotted a mistake? Email
fuzzyreguk@gmail.com.