Rolls Royce Silver Spirit MOT Failures
An analysis of 12,280 real DVSA MOT tests on the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Silver Spirit (1980–1998).
Where the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit is wheel bearings worn — this model is 41 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 12,280 MOT tests, 9.44% of all Rolls Royce Silver Spirit 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 fluid leak (87x the fleet average), power steering fault (53x the fleet average), parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (31x the fleet average), and parking brake inoperative on one side (18x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit'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 5 categories: Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Steering, Brakes, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit 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 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit'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 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are wheel bearings worn (41x the average) and power steering fault (33x). parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (31x) and fluid leak (20x) 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 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (53x the average) and wheel bearings worn (24x). parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (19x) and fluid leak (6.2x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fluid leak (87x the average) and power steering fault (20x). parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (15x) and wheel bearings worn (10x) also appear frequently.
The shift from wheel bearings worn at lower mileages to fluid leak 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 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Wheel bearing excessive play Dangerous
The wheel bearings support the considerable weight of this luxury saloon and are subject to high loads from the heavy body and suspension system. Affects Silver Spirit; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
Brake system corrosion and failure Dangerous
The brake system on these vehicles suffers from corrosion of steel brake pipes and reduced parking brake efficiency due to the car's age and complex hydraulic setup. Affects Silver Spirit; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Hydraulic system fluid leakage Major
The hydraulic system powers the self-levelling suspension, power steering, and ride height control through a network of high-pressure lines, pumps, and accumulators. Affects Silver Spirit.
Suspension component wear Major
The self-levelling hydraulic suspension system uses shock absorbers and suspension components that are subject to high loads from the vehicle's considerable weight and complex hydraulic operation. Affects Silver Spirit.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Rolls Royce Silver Spirit common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit:
Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn. Exhaust & Emissions — check for fluid leak. Steering — check for power steering fault. Brakes — check for parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r..., parking brake inoperative on one side, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about wheel bearing excessive play and brake system corrosion and failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. 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 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit?
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Rolls Royce Silver Spirit MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit?
Based on 12,280 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is wheel bearings worn — at 41x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include fluid leak and power steering fault.
Is the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit reliable based on MOT data?
The Rolls Royce Silver Spirit has 8 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag wheel bearing excessive play as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Rolls Royce Silver Spirit most commonly fails on fluid leak and power steering fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are wheel bearings worn and power steering fault.
How do I check a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit'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.