Does the Vauxhall Frontera fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Vauxhall Frontera records 36.19 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 30.18 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+6.01, 95% interval +4.80 to +7.23). It ranks 110 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 Frontera by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Vauxhall Frontera is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 1,118 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 1,118 | 11.82 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 749 | 7.92 |
| 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 | 563 | 5.95 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 324 | 3.42 |
| A wheel bearing with excessive play | 181 | 1.91 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 9,460 (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 Frontera gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
23.9% of Vauxhall Frontera MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 2,224 miles later (2,321 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,321 (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 Frontera 2003 · Vauxhall Frontera 2004 · Vauxhall Frontera by postcode area · Vauxhall Frontera body, chassis and structure failures · Vauxhall Frontera brakes failures · Vauxhall Frontera vehicle identification failures · Vauxhall Frontera lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Vauxhall Frontera noise, emissions and leaks failures · Vauxhall Frontera road wheels failures · Vauxhall Frontera seat belts and airbags failures · Vauxhall Frontera steering failures · Vauxhall Frontera tyres failures · Vauxhall Frontera visibility failures