Steering defects are taken seriously at MOT time and they should be. Anything that puts play between your hands and the front tyres is a safety item, and testers will record it accordingly.
Steering defects are taken seriously at MOT time and they should be. Anything that puts play between your hands and the front tyres is a safety item, and testers will record it accordingly.
The good news is that steering wording is usually more specific than suspension wording. A track rod end is a named part, a rack gaiter is a named part. Where it gets murkier is 'excessive play in steering system', which is a symptom that can come from the rack, the column, a joint or worn wheel bearings.
Here's what the most common steering entries mean, and how I'd narrow them down on the ramp.
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play
The joint at the outer end of the steering track rod — the bit that actually turns the wheel — has developed play. Any slack there translates directly into vague steering and uneven tyre wear.
Full explanation of Track rod end ball joint has excessive play
Steering rack gaiter damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
The concertina rubber boot on the end of the steering rack has split. Its whole job is keeping road grit and water off the rack's internals and inner joint, so once it's open the clock is ticking on much more expensive parts.
Full explanation of Steering rack gaiter damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
Excessive movement in the steering system
There's more free movement at the steering wheel than there should be before the road wheels start to turn. This is a symptom rather than a named part — it can come from the rack, a joint in the column, the track rods or worn bearings.
Full explanation of Excessive movement in the steering system
Power steering fluid leaking or reservoir below minimum
Hydraulic power steering fluid is escaping, or the level is below minimum. A weep with the level still fine is normally Minor; a steady leak, an empty reservoir or steering that isn't being assisted properly is Major. Electric power steering cars fail differently — that shows as a warning light or heavy steering, not a leak.
Full explanation of Power steering fluid leaking or reservoir below minimum
How steering defects are graded
Every MOT defect is recorded as dangerous, major or minor. Dangerous and major both fail the test; the difference is that a dangerous defect means the car is not roadworthy and must not be driven away. A minor defect passes but is recorded on the certificate, and an advisory is a note that something is wearing and will need attention before the next test. Tester notes in the steering section use standard DVSA wording, which is why the phrasing on your certificate looks nothing like plain English — the pages above translate it.
Getting a steering failure put right
You are free to take the car anywhere for the repair — there is no obligation to have the testing station do the work, and getting a second opinion on a big quote is sensible. Ask for the failed item to be shown to you on the ramp; a genuine defect is always something a mechanic can point at. Once repaired, a partial retest within ten working days covers the listed items without paying a second full test fee.
Avoiding it next year
Most steering failures are found on a pre-MOT check for a fraction of the cost of a failure plus retest, because they are inspected before the clock is running. An MOT at Bob's Mechanical Repairs in Birnam, Dunkeld is £54.85, and anything found is explained and priced before work is agreed. Bob has 32 years on the tools, so the advice you get is what he would do with his own car.
Common questions
Can I drive away after a steering MOT failure? Only if the old certificate is still valid and the defect is not dangerous. A defect recorded as dangerous means the car must not be driven on the road until it is repaired, and driving it can mean a fine and points.
Do I pay again for the retest? If the car is left at the testing station and the repair is done there, the partial retest is usually free. If you take it away and bring it back within ten working days, a partial retest is free for the listed items; after that a full test fee applies.
What does an advisory in this section mean? An advisory is a pass with a warning: the item is not bad enough to fail today but is wearing. Advisories on the same item two years running are the ones worth acting on before they become failures.
Decode your exact MOT wording or browse all MOT failure categories.