2008 Maserati Quattroporte — MOT failures & pass rate
664 MOT tests on the 2008 Maserati Quattroporte are in this dataset, and 81.8% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (22.6% fail rate), the 2008 Quattroporte comes out 4.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.8%) and brakes (6.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 20 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 24.0% versus 11.8%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 18.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 45 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.2% | 41 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 35 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 34 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 26 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.8% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 2 | Wipers | 19 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 19 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 18 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 17 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.2% | 121 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.9% | 119 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.2% | 101 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.4% | 29 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 24 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 18 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 68 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 209 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 256 | 18.0% |
| 90-120k | 100 | 24.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 143 | 18.9% |
| 2022 | 139 | 15.1% |
| 2023 | 134 | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 131 | 20.6% |
| 2025 | 117 | 19.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Quattroporte
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (5.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Maserati Quattroportes pass their MOT?
81.8% of the 664 2008 Maserati Quattroporte MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Maserati Quattroporte?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by brakes (6.2%).
Does the 2008 Quattroporte get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 0-30k band to 24.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 664 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.