The MOT Files

Section 2 · Steering

2.1.2 Steering gear security

Manual indexed

Quick answer

Sub-section 2.1.2 of the MOT inspection manual covers steering gear security and lists 10 defects, 5 of them Dangerous. A reference like "(2.1.2 (a)(i))" on a certificate points to the matching row below. The most recorded is "The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any steering component mounting (a ‘prescribed area’) is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired", about 0.0 times per 100 failed tests.

Official wording

The defect clauses

  1. 2.1.2 (a)(i)Major

    Steering gear casing not properly attached

  2. 2.1.2 (a)(ii)Dangerous

    Steering gear casing retaining devices dangerously loose or relative movement to chassis/bodywork visible

    Play in the steering explained: what it means and what puts it right

  3. 2.1.2 (b)(i)Major

    Steering gear casing fixing holes in chassis elongated

  4. 2.1.2 (b)(ii)Dangerous

    Steering gear casing fixing holes in chassis elongated to the extent that attachment is seriously affected

  5. 2.1.2 (c)(i)Major

    Steering gear fixing bolts missing or ineffective

  6. 2.1.2 (c)(ii)Dangerous

    Steering gear fixing bolts missing or ineffective to the extent that attachment is seriously affected

  7. 2.1.2 (d)(i)Major

    Steering gear casing fractured

  8. 2.1.2 (d)(ii)Dangerous

    Steering gear casing fractured and stability or attachment of casing affected

  9. 2.1.2 (e)(i)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any steering component mounting (a ‘prescribed area’) is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

  10. 2.1.2 (e)(ii)Dangerous

    The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any steering component mounting (a ‘prescribed area’) is so weakened that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected

Wording and categories reproduced from the DVSA inspection manual under the Open Government Licence. Frequencies are items per 100 failed class 4 tests across the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset; a clause with no figure was not recorded often enough to appear in any model’s top forty failure items. 1 of 10 clauses link to our own explanation.

Grading

What the categories mean

Dangerous
a direct and immediate risk to road safety or the environment. The vehicle fails and must not be driven until repaired, even to a garage.
Major
a defect that affects safety, the environment or other road users. The vehicle fails.
Minor
a defect with no significant effect on safety or the environment. Recorded on the certificate; the vehicle passes.

The full guide to defect grading

Section 2

Other sub-sections of steering

All sections of the manual

Common questions

What does 2.1.2 mean on an MOT certificate?
It refers to sub-section 2.1.2 of the MOT inspection manual, "Steering gear security", within section 2, steering. The letter or letters after it — (a), (b)(i) and so on — identify the specific defect from the 10 listed here. 5 of them are graded Dangerous, 5 Major and 0 Minor.
Which steering gear security defect is recorded most often?
"The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any steering component mounting (a ‘prescribed area’) is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired" (2.1.2 (e)(i)), recorded about 0.0 times per 100 failed MOT tests nationally.
Does a Minor defect fail the MOT?
No. a defect with no significant effect on safety or the environment. Recorded on the certificate; the vehicle passes. Major and Dangerous defects fail. A Dangerous defect also means the car must not be driven until it is repaired.