MOT failures by make
Abarth MOT failures for “Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn”
Abarth cars failed their MOT on “Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn” in 1.15% of 56,475 tests in 2023–2024 (650 tests) — 1.5 times as often as comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 0.76% of tests. It is the number 7 most common failure item on Abarths.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- Abarth tests failing on it
- 1.15%
- 650 of 56,475 tests, 2023–2024
- Comparable cars
- 0.76%
- national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
- Observed ÷ expected
- 1.51×
- 73 Auto analysis · rank #7 for Abarth
How unusual this is for the make
Across all MOT failures, Abarths fail 1.08× as often as comparable cars. On this item the gap is 1.39× wider than that overall level, so it is a genuine Abarth pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a major defect in the suspension part of the test. Nationally it appears on 1.43% of MOT tests.
Abarth models and “Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn”
One Abarth model has enough tests to compare. Not every model follows the make: the pattern is concentrated in some models. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abarth 500 | 47,520 | 1.34% | 1.53× |
By age at test
The difference is largest at 3-4 years old: 0.16% of Abarth tests against 0.06% for comparable cars.
| Age (years) | Abarth tests | Abarth | Comparable cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 11,956 | 0.16% | 0.06% |
| 5-6 | 16,594 | 0.37% | 0.25% |
| 7-8 | 11,320 | 1.95% | 0.88% |
| 9-10 | 5,231 | 2.89% | 1.82% |
| 11-12 | 4,073 | 2.26% | 2.24% |
| 13-15 | 3,901 | 2.59% | 2.42% |
Other Abarth MOT faults that stand out
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect · 1.80× comparable cars
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed · 1.58× comparable cars
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively · 0.64× comparable cars
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction · 1.52× comparable cars
Limitations
Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the Abarth tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.
Has this Abarth failed on it before?
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UK number plate or 17-character VIN
Where these figures come from
- Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.
Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.