Most Reliable Maserati Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 10,713 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Maserati models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
10,713 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Maserati model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Maserati LEVANTE D V6 AUTO
87.0% pass rate
Best Single Year
GHIBLI 2016 Diesel
83.6% pass rate
Maserati vs National Average
83.5% vs 71.5%
+12.0% above average
Durability Champion
N/A
N/A
Maserati has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 10,713 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Maserati models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Maserati model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Maserati Compares to Rivals
Maserati ranks #17 out of 75 manufacturers with a 83.5% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maserati | 83.5% | #17 | 10,713 |
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
The verdict: Maserati leads its competitors with a 83.5% pass rate. However, newer Maserati models significantly outperform this average.
Best Maserati Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Maserati's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVANTE D V6 AUTO | 87.0% | +15.5% | 1,075 | 2017-2019 |
| GHIBLI | 82.8% | +11.3% | 3,178 | 2014-2019 |
| GRANTURISMO | 82.4% | +10.9% | 1,643 | 2007-2018 |
Top performer
The LEVANTE D V6 AUTO dramatically outperforms other Maseratis with an 87.0% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Durability Champions: Which Maserati Models Age Best?
Raw pass rates favour newer cars. This ranking compares each model against the national average for cars of the same age:
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Trend | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHIBLI | 2016 | Diesel | +4.0% | (83% at 7-8 years) | |
| LEVANTE D V6 AUTO | 2017 | Diesel | +3.6% | (86% at 5-6 years) | |
| GHIBLI | 2015 | Diesel | +2.1% | (79% at 7-8 years) |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age.
Maserati Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Maserati's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 83.2% | +11.7% | 3,261 |
| Petrol | 83.1% | +11.6% | 4,057 |
Maserati Models to Avoid
Not all Maseratis are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHIBLI | 2015 | Diesel | 79.4% (+2.1% vs same-age) | 572 |
| LEVANTE D V6 AUTO | 2017 | Diesel | 85.7% (+3.6% vs same-age) | 602 |
| GHIBLI | 2016 | Diesel | 83.6% (+4.0% vs same-age) | 590 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2015-2016 diesel GHIBLIs are the models that drag down Maserati's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Maseratis?
When Maseratis fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Tyres | 539 |
| 2. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 266 |
| 3. Brakes | 266 |
| 4. Visibility | 169 |
| 5. Suspension | 166 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 107 |
| 7. Identification of the vehicle | 71 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Maserati owners:
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- Limited proven durability data available
Maserati Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- No major proven reliability concerns
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 10,713 tests on Maserati vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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