Does the Toyota Carina fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Toyota Carina records 20.05 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 22.45 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.40, 95% interval −3.44 to −1.36). It ranks 412 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 Toyota Carina by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Toyota Carina is “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”, recorded 581 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 581 | 7.29 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 508 | 6.37 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 144 | 1.81 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 97 | 1.22 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 78 | 0.98 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 7,974 (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 Toyota Carina gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
17.7% of Toyota Carina MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 2,812 miles later (1,525 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,525 (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
Toyota Carina in Norway · Toyota Carina by postcode area · Toyota Carina body, chassis and structure failures · Toyota Carina brakes failures · Toyota Carina vehicle identification failures · Toyota Carina lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Toyota Carina noise, emissions and leaks failures · Toyota Carina seat belts and airbags failures · Toyota Carina steering failures · Toyota Carina tyres failures · Toyota Carina visibility failures