Maserati Quattroporte MOT Failures
An analysis of 4,385 real DVSA MOT tests on the Maserati Quattroporte — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: IV (2004–2012), VI (2013–2021).
Where the Maserati Quattroporte fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Maserati Quattroporte is abs fault — this model is 16 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 4,385 MOT tests, 5.74% of all Maserati Quattroporte tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (15x the fleet average), tyre seriously damaged (6.2x the fleet average), parking brake inoperative on one side (6.2x the fleet average), and tyre cords visible or damaged (6.0x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Maserati Quattroporte's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 3 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Tyres. If you're inspecting a Maserati Quattroporte before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Maserati Quattroporte's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Maserati Quattroporte specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (16x the average) and tyre seriously damaged (6.2x). tyre cords visible or damaged (6.0x) and tyre cords visible or damaged also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Maserati Quattroporte specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (15x the average) and abs fault (7.7x). parking brake inoperative on one side (6.2x) and parking brake inoperative on one side also appear frequently.
The shift from abs fault at lower mileages to parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Maserati Quattroporte specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Shock absorber bush failure (IV) Major
The shock absorber mounting bushes on the 4.2L V8 Quattroporte fail at exceptionally high rates, with MOT data showing failure at 10.7 times the national fleet average. Affects IV; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£600.
Parking brake efficiency failure (IV) Major
The electronic parking brake system on 4.2L V8 models fails MOT testing at 4.9 times the national average, typically due to seized brake caliper mechanisms or worn brake pads specific to the rear axle. Affects IV; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
Suspension component corrosion (IV) Major
Suspension components on the 4.2L V8 models suffer from corrosion at 3.8 times the national fleet average, typically affecting control arms, subframe mounting points, and anti-roll bar components. Affects IV; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£1,000.
Spring failure (IV) Major
Coil springs on the 4.2L V8 Quattroporte fracture at 2.8 times the national fleet average, with the trend worsening according to recent MOT data. Affects IV; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Maserati Quattroporte common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Maserati Quattroporte
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Maserati Quattroporte:
Suspension — check for abs fault. Brakes — check for parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r..., parking brake inoperative on one side. Tyres — check for tyre seriously damaged, tyre cords visible or damaged.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about shock absorber bush failure and parking brake efficiency failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Maserati Quattroporte?
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Maserati Quattroporte MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Maserati Quattroporte?
Based on 4,385 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 16x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... and tyre seriously damaged.
Is the Maserati Quattroporte reliable based on MOT data?
The Maserati Quattroporte has 5 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag shock absorber bush failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include abs fault, parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r..., tyre seriously damaged.
How do I check a Maserati Quattroporte's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.