Shock absorber leak at the MOT: which cars fail on it most
3.1% of failed initial MOT tests in 2025 recorded this defect: 289,238 of 9,185,328. By age, it was most common on vehicles 15 to 19 years old (4.0%) and least common on vehicles 3 to 5 years old (2.0%).
It is one of the 10 most common MOT failures on 50 of the 332 car models we cover. Against vehicles of the same age, it was most common on the Cupra Formentor, the Vauxhall Adam and the Skoda Karoq. On the Cupra Formentor, 18.4% of failed tests had it, against 2.0% for all vehicles of the same age.
The DVSA records it as “Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak”. A failed test can have several defects.
What the MOT checks
A shock absorber with a serious fluid leak.
The MOT inspection manual lists “A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage” as a major defect, so the vehicle fails.
The manual also says: “Slight seepage causing a film of fluid on a shock absorber is not a reason for rejection.”
Car models where it is most common
| # | Car | Share of failed tests | Against same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupra Formentor1,628 failed tests | 18.4%299 tests | 9.4×all: 2.0% |
| 2 | Vauxhall Adam20,156 failed tests | 18.8%3,798 tests | 6.4×all: 2.9% |
| 3 | Skoda Karoq6,722 failed tests | 12.5%842 tests | 6.1×all: 2.1% |
| 4 | Volkswagen Arteon1,223 failed tests | 11.9%146 tests | 5.8×all: 2.0% |
| 5 | MG 52,255 failed tests | 11.3%255 tests | 5.8×all: 1.9% |
| 6 | Toyota Yaris Cross1,298 failed tests | 9.9%128 tests | 5.2×all: 1.9% |
| 7 | Fiat 500C7,498 failed tests | 15.4%1,152 tests | 4.4×all: 3.5% |
| 8 | Skoda Superb14,007 failed tests | 12.8%1,789 tests | 4.4×all: 2.9% |
| 9 | Fiat Tipo3,630 failed tests | 11.0%399 tests | 4.3×all: 2.5% |
| 10 | Skoda Enyaq1,154 failed tests | 6.8%78 tests | 3.5×all: 1.9% |
| 11 | SEAT Leon43,888 failed tests | 9.9%4,362 tests | 3.3×all: 3.0% |
| 12 | BMW 3 Series113,835 failed tests | 10.5%11,904 tests | 3.2×all: 3.2% |
| 13 | Volkswagen ID.41,318 failed tests | 6.1%81 tests | 3.2×all: 1.9% |
| 14 | BMW 1 Series93,197 failed tests | 9.8%9,159 tests | 3.0×all: 3.2% |
| 15 | BMW 4 Series18,389 failed tests | 8.2%1,504 tests | 3.0×all: 2.7% |
Only models where this defect is one of their 10 most common MOT failures, with at least 50 failed tests, have a figure. So a model that isn't listed can still have it, just less often than its other faults. Vans, pick-ups and taxis are left out, as in our rankings. × is the model's share divided by the share for all vehicles of the same age.
How common it is by car age
- Under 3 years, first used 2023 to 20242.2% of failed tests, against 3.1% for all ages235 failed tests
- 3 to 5 years, first used 2020 to 20222.0% of failed tests, against 3.1% for all ages13,492 failed tests
- 6 to 9 years, first used 2016 to 20192.6% of failed tests, against 3.1% for all ages54,260 failed tests
- 10 to 14 years, first used 2011 to 20153.3% of failed tests, against 3.1% for all ages112,510 failed tests
- 15 to 19 years, first used 2006 to 20104.0% of failed tests, against 3.1% for all ages87,073 failed tests
- 20 years and over, first used 1985 to 20052.7% of failed tests, against 3.1% for all ages21,668 failed tests
All-vehicle figures cover vehicles first used from 1985 to 2024: 9,185,328 of the 9,193,164 failed initial tests in 2025.
How these figures are counted
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. A defect found on more than one wheel, lamp or joint at the same test counts once. "Same age" is the defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the model's own failed tests in each year.
An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. These figures show where a defect was recorded, not why, and not what a repair costs. Figures: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. What the MOT checks: MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles, GOV.UK, read 1 Nov 2026.
How we choose and rank these defectsOther suspension faults
- Coil spring8.6% of failed tests
- Suspension arm ball joint5.1% of failed tests
- Suspension arm bush4.4% of failed tests
- Anti-roll bar link cover2.7% of failed tests
- Anti-roll bar link joint2.3% of failed tests
- Suspension arm dust cover1.8% of failed tests
- Corroded suspension mount1.8% of failed tests
Share of all failed initial MOT tests in 2025.