The MOT Files

Section 2 · Steering

2.1.3 Steering linkage condition

Manual indexed

Quick answer

Sub-section 2.1.3 of the MOT inspection manual covers steering linkage condition and lists 14 defects, 5 of them Dangerous. A reference like "(2.1.3 (a)(i))" on a certificate points to the matching row below. The most recorded is "A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play", about 5.0 times per 100 failed tests.

Official wording

The defect clauses

  1. 2.1.3 (a)(i)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    A steering linkage component with relative movement between components which should be fixed

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

  2. 2.1.3 (a)(ii)Dangerousunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    A steering linkage component with excessive movement between components or likely to become detached

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

  3. 2.1.3 (b)(i)Major5.0 per 100 fails

    A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play

    Ball joint worn explained: what it means and what puts it right

  4. 2.1.3 (b)(ii)Dangerous0.1 per 100 fails

    A steering ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment

    Ball joint worn explained: what it means and what puts it right

  5. 2.1.3 (c)(i)Major

    A steering linkage component fractured or deformed

  6. 2.1.3 (c)(ii)Dangerous

    A steering linkage component fractured or deformed to the extent that steering is affected

  7. 2.1.3 (d)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    Steering linkage retaining or locking device missing or ineffective

  8. 2.1.3 (e)Major

    Track rod or drag link ends seriously misaligned

  9. 2.1.3 (f)(i)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    A steering linkage component with an unsafe modification

  10. 2.1.3 (f)(ii)Dangerous

    A steering linkage component modified to the extent that steering is affected

  11. 2.1.3 (g)(i)Minor

    Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated

    Steering rack gaiter split, damaged or missing explained: what it means and what puts it right

  12. 2.1.3 (g)(ii)Major2.5 per 100 fails

    Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.

    Steering rack gaiter split, damaged or missing explained: what it means and what puts it right

  13. 2.1.3 (h)(i)Major

    Rear wheel steering inoperative and rear wheels not held in the substantially straight ahead position

  14. 2.1.3 (h)(ii)Dangerous

    Rear wheel steering inoperative and control of vehicle 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. 6 of 14 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 2.1.3 mean on an MOT certificate?
It refers to sub-section 2.1.3 of the MOT inspection manual, "Steering linkage condition", within section 2, steering. The letter or letters after it — (a), (b)(i) and so on — identify the specific defect from the 14 listed here. 5 of them are graded Dangerous, 8 Major and 1 Minor.
Which steering linkage condition defect is recorded most often?
"A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play" (2.1.3 (b)(i)), recorded about 5.0 times per 100 failed MOT tests nationally. We explain what it means and what puts it right.
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.