MOT performance
MOT failure “Ball joint: has excessive play”: how common it is and which cars get it
“Ball joint: has excessive play” (major defect, steering) was recorded as a failure on 0.04% of UK MOT tests in 2023–2024: 26,587 tests, the number 140 most common failure item. It is 14.0 times as common at 10 years old (0.04%) as at 3 (0.00%). It is most common at 19 years old (0.12% of tests).
26,587 tests with this failure, 2023–2024
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Share of MOT tests | 0.04% | 26,587 tests, 2023–2024 |
| Rank among failure items | #140 | by number of tests |
| Most common at | 19 years old | 0.12% of tests at that age |
| Models compared | 162 | models with enough tests |
How it changes with age
By fuel
Diesel: 0.06% of tests; Petrol: 0.03% of tests; Electric: 0.01% of tests; Hybrid: 0.01% of tests. Fuel groups differ in age and mileage, so these raw shares are not like-for-like; the model tables below are.
Models that fail on it most often
Relative to cars of the same age and fuel (1.00 = national rate for this item). Only models with enough tests for the difference to be clear are ranked.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger | 211,022 | 0.23% | +477% |
| Renault Scenic | 80,388 | 0.28% | +353% |
| Land Rover Defender | 219,897 | 0.76% | +325% |
| Renault Megane | 227,348 | 0.21% | +260% |
| Vauxhall Combo | 216,750 | 0.19% | +248% |
| Nissan Juke | 612,114 | 0.07% | +215% |
| Renault Clio | 663,662 | 0.13% | +198% |
| SEAT Ibiza | 388,964 | 0.09% | +190% |
| Peugeot 307 | 68,543 | 0.29% | +177% |
| Renault Kangoo | 115,449 | 0.17% | +167% |
Models that fail on it least often
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 | 188,374 | 0.00% | -93% |
| Fiat Ducato | 145,780 | 0.01% | -89% |
| Audi Q3 | 250,413 | 0.00% | -89% |
| Vauxhall Insignia | 417,125 | 0.00% | -89% |
| Volkswagen Scirocco | 96,318 | 0.01% | -88% |
| Honda Jazz | 673,876 | 0.01% | -86% |
| Peugeot Boxer | 107,606 | 0.02% | -85% |
| Audi A6 | 256,000 | 0.01% | -85% |
| BMW Z4 | 70,690 | 0.01% | -83% |
| Porsche 911 | 100,223 | 0.01% | -82% |
About this defect
The wording is DVSA's, from the MOT inspection manual. A high ratio for a model reflects its MOT record, which depends on maintenance and use as well as design. For one car, its own MOT history shows whether this has come up before.
Other common steering failures
- 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
Check the car you are looking at
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UK number plate or 17-character VIN
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.