The MOT Files

Section 2 · Steering

2.2.2 Steering column or forks and yokes

Manual indexed

Quick answer

Sub-section 2.2.2 of the MOT inspection manual covers steering column or forks and yokes and lists 9 defects, 2 of them Dangerous. A reference like "(2.2.2 (a))" on a certificate points to the matching row below. The most recorded is "Excessive wear or play in a universal joint or a flexible coupling excessively deteriorated", about 0.0 times per 100 failed tests.

Official wording

The defect clauses

  1. 2.2.2 (a)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    Excessive movement of centre of steering wheel up or down

  2. 2.2.2 (b)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    Excessive radial movement between the top of the steering column and the shaft indicating an excessively worn top bearing

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

  3. 2.2.2 (c)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    Excessive wear or play in a universal joint or a flexible coupling excessively deteriorated

  4. 2.2.2 (d)(i)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    Attachment of steering column defective

  5. 2.2.2 (d)(ii)Dangerousunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    Attachment of steering column defective to the extent that there is a serious risk of detachment

    Steering wheel or column insecure explained: what it means and what puts it right

  6. 2.2.2 (e)Major

    Unsafe modification to steering column, forks or fork yoke

  7. 2.2.2 (f)(i)Major

    Forks or fork yoke deformed, fractured or insecure

  8. 2.2.2 (f)(ii)Dangerous

    Forks or fork yoke in such a condition that steering control is adversely affected or detachment likely

  9. 2.2.2 (g)Major

    Steering head bearings have excessive wear or play

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

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. 3 of 9 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 2.2.2 mean on an MOT certificate?
It refers to sub-section 2.2.2 of the MOT inspection manual, "Steering column or forks and yokes", within section 2, steering. The letter or letters after it — (a), (b)(i) and so on — identify the specific defect from the 9 listed here. 2 of them are graded Dangerous, 7 Major and 0 Minor.
Which steering column or forks and yokes defect is recorded most often?
"Excessive wear or play in a universal joint or a flexible coupling excessively deteriorated" (2.2.2 (c)), 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.