MOT performance

Steering: MOT failure rates

1.9% of 65,477,892 MOT tests on cars and light vans in 2023–2024 failed on steering, 1,243,166 tests in all. Among models with at least 20,000 tests, rates relative to comparable cars range from -94% to +842%.

65,477,892 MOT tests on 34,140,187 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

Steering MOT failures at a glance
Figure	Value	Basis
Tests failed on steering	1.9%	1,243,166 of 65,477,892 tests
Models compared	320	each with ≥ 20,000 tests

Most common items

Most common steering MOT failure items
Item	Area	Share of tests
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play	Steering	1.07%

Failure items with their own page

Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play · 1.07% of tests
Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt · 0.27% of tests
Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt · 0.21% of tests
Track rod end: ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt · 0.08% of tests
Track rod end: ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment · 0.07% of tests
Ball joint: has excessive play · 0.04% of tests

Models that fail on it most often

Relative to cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.

Models with the highest steering MOT failure ratio
Model	Tests	Failed on it	vs similar cars
SEAT Arona	89,368	2.5%	+842%
Jaguar I-Pace	30,624	0.8%	+434%
Fiat 500X	69,885	4.3%	+410%
Jeep Renegade	55,555	4.2%	+397%
Kia Venga	95,042	6.7%	+374%
Renault Trafic	218,161	11.2%	+350%
Vauxhall Vivaro	372,179	11.3%	+345%
Land Rover Range Rover Velar	58,985	1.3%	+339%
Kia Soul	48,662	7.9%	+336%
Hyundai ix20	58,240	5.7%	+324%

Models that fail on it least often

Models with the lowest steering MOT failure ratio
Model	Tests	Failed on it	vs similar cars
BMW X2	34,912	0.0%	-94%
Toyota iQ	34,119	0.1%	-94%
BMW M4	24,113	0.1%	-94%
Lexus UX	20,230	0.0%	-93%
Mazda CX-3	50,909	0.1%	-92%
Mercedes-Benz GLC	150,770	0.0%	-92%
MINI Clubman	51,717	0.1%	-92%
BMW X6	30,776	0.1%	-92%
Suzuki Celerio	55,281	0.1%	-92%
Audi Q2	132,752	0.0%	-91%

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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.