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MOT fail: shock absorber has a serious fluid leak

Major defect: the vehicle fails Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 5.3.2 (b)

Shock absorbers are sealed and filled with oil. The tester found one leaking, rather than the light misting that is only an advisory. They 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

What happened after the fail

  • Repaired during the test1%
  • Passed a retest within 35 days92%
  • Not passed within 35 days7%

By age

Highest at 14 years old: 2% of MOTs.

By mileage

Highest at 160k to 170k miles: 2% of MOTs.

Models that fail on this more than other cars their age

  • BMW 123Other cars its age: 1 in 1006 in 100
  • Mazda 5Other cars its age: 1 in 1005 in 100
  • Fiat 500cOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1004 in 100
  • Toyota StarletOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1004 in 100
  • Vauxhall AdamOther cars its age: 0.6 in 1004 in 100
  • Fiat Grande PuntoOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • BMW 120Other cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • Vauxhall CorsavanOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
22 more models
  • Fiat Grand PuntoOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Fiat PandaOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • BMW 3 SeriesOther cars its age: 1 in 1003 in 100
  • Renault TraficOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1003 in 100
  • Fiat TipoOther cars its age: 0.4 in 1003 in 100
  • BMW 118Other cars its age: 0.8 in 1002 in 100
  • Ford KAOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1002 in 100
  • Vauxhall VivaroOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1002 in 100
  • Fiat 500Other cars its age: 0.8 in 1002 in 100
  • Citroen RelayOther cars its age: 0.7 in 1002 in 100
  • Vauxhall CorsaOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1002 in 100
  • SEAT IbizaOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1002 in 100
  • SEAT LeonOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1002 in 100
  • Skoda SuperbOther cars its age: 0.6 in 1002 in 100
  • CUPRA FormentorOther cars its age: 0.2 in 1002 in 100
  • Volkswagen E-GolfOther cars its age: 0.3 in 1002 in 100
  • Volkswagen ArteonOther cars its age: 0.3 in 1001 in 100
  • MG 5 ExclusiveOther cars its age: 0.2 in 1001 in 100
  • BMW 318Other cars its age: 0.5 in 1001 in 100
  • Skoda KaroqOther cars its age: 0.3 in 1001.0 in 100
  • Skoda EnyaqOther cars its age: 0.2 in 1000.8 in 100
  • Volkswagen ID4Other cars its age: 0.2 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.

Check a car's MOT history

Every test, fail and advisory, free, from the whole registration.