Does the Vauxhall Cavalier fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Vauxhall Cavalier records 26.72 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 19.82 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+6.90, 95% interval +5.82 to +7.98). It ranks 101 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 Vauxhall Cavalier by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Vauxhall Cavalier 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 1,165 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 | 1,165 | 13.25 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 231 | 2.63 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 208 | 2.37 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 162 | 1.84 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 90 | 1.02 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 8,791 (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 Vauxhall Cavalier gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
20.3% of Vauxhall Cavalier MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 1,413 miles later (1,356 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,356 (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
Vauxhall Cavalier by postcode area · Vauxhall Cavalier body, chassis and structure failures · Vauxhall Cavalier brakes failures · Vauxhall Cavalier vehicle identification failures · Vauxhall Cavalier lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Vauxhall Cavalier noise, emissions and leaks failures · Vauxhall Cavalier seat belts and airbags failures · Vauxhall Cavalier steering failures · Vauxhall Cavalier tyres failures · Vauxhall Cavalier visibility failures