Does the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow records 9.35 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 20.81 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−11.46, 95% interval −12.29 to −10.64). It ranks 613 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 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is “A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated”, recorded 248 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 248 | 2.11 |
| 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 | 151 | 1.29 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 142 | 1.21 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 121 | 1.03 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 114 | 0.97 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 11,746 (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 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
9.2% of Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.5 months and 314 miles later (1,126 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,126 (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
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow by postcode area · Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow body, chassis and structure failures · Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow brakes failures · Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow vehicle identification failures · Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow noise, emissions and leaks failures · Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow seat belts and airbags failures · Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow steering failures · Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow tyres failures · Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow visibility failures