diff --git a/tests/misra/test_misra.sh b/tests/misra/test_misra.sh
index 77f6bfde..c7d16ae1 100755
--- a/tests/misra/test_misra.sh
+++ b/tests/misra/test_misra.sh
@@ -18,10 +18,12 @@ fi
 
 # ensure checked in coverage table is up to date
 cd $DIR
-python $CPPCHECK_DIR/addons/misra.py -generate-table > coverage_table
-if ! git diff --quiet coverage_table; then
-  echo -e "${YELLOW}MISRA coverage table doesn't match. Update and commit:${NC}"
-  exit 1
+if [ -z "$SKIP_TABLES_DIFF" ]; then
+  python $CPPCHECK_DIR/addons/misra.py -generate-table > coverage_table
+  if ! git diff --quiet coverage_table; then
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}MISRA coverage table doesn't match. Update and commit:${NC}"
+    exit 2
+  fi
 fi
 
 cd $PANDA_DIR
@@ -77,7 +79,7 @@ printf "\n${GREEN}Success!${NC} took $SECONDS seconds\n"
 
 # ensure list of checkers is up to date
 cd $DIR
-if ! git diff --quiet $CHECKLIST; then
+if [ -z "$SKIP_TABLES_DIFF" ] && ! git diff --quiet coverage_table; then
   echo -e "\n${YELLOW}WARNING: Cppcheck checkers.txt report has changed. Review and commit...${NC}"
-  exit 1
+  exit 3
 fi
diff --git a/tests/misra/test_mutation.py b/tests/misra/test_mutation.py
index 06ce266e..796b93dd 100755
--- a/tests/misra/test_mutation.py
+++ b/tests/misra/test_mutation.py
@@ -77,6 +77,6 @@ def test_misra_mutation(fn, patch, should_fail):
       assert r == 0
 
     # run test
-    r = subprocess.run("tests/misra/test_misra.sh", cwd=tmp, shell=True)
+    r = subprocess.run("SKIP_TABLES_DIFF=1 tests/misra/test_misra.sh", cwd=tmp, shell=True)
     failed = r.returncode != 0
     assert failed == should_fail