Does the Ford Explorer fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Ford Explorer records 39.14 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 26.70 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+12.44, 95% interval +10.54 to +14.34). It ranks 41 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Ford Explorer by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Ford Explorer is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 490 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 490 | 11.77 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 444 | 10.67 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 237 | 5.69 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 107 | 2.57 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 67 | 1.61 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,162 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Ford Explorer gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
28.4% of Ford Explorer MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 2,076 miles later (832 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 832 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Ford Explorer in Norway · Ford Explorer in the Netherlands · Ford Explorer by postcode area · Ford Explorer body, chassis and structure failures · Ford Explorer brakes failures · Ford Explorer vehicle identification failures · Ford Explorer lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Ford Explorer noise, emissions and leaks failures · Ford Explorer seat belts and airbags failures · Ford Explorer steering failures · Ford Explorer tyres failures · Ford Explorer visibility failures