MOT performance
MOT failure “Track rod end: ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment”: how common it is and which cars get it
“Track rod end: ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment” (dangerous defect, steering) was recorded as a failure on 0.07% of UK MOT tests in 2023–2024: 44,249 tests, the number 115 most common failure item. It is 34.0 times as common at 10 years old (0.10%) as at 3 (0.00%). It is most common at 13 years old (0.13% of tests).
44,249 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 | 0.07% | 44,249 tests, 2023–2024 |
| Rank among failure items | #115 | by number of tests |
| Most common at | 13 years old | 0.13% of tests at that age |
| Models compared | 211 | models with enough tests |
How it changes with age
By fuel
Diesel: 0.10% of tests; Petrol: 0.05% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renault Trafic | 218,161 | 0.90% | +849% |
| Vauxhall Vivaro | 372,179 | 0.93% | +847% |
| Kia Venga | 95,042 | 0.47% | +717% |
| Nissan Primastar | 19,096 | 1.07% | +557% |
| Nissan Juke | 612,114 | 0.30% | +516% |
| Kia Soul | 48,662 | 0.53% | +484% |
| Nissan Qashqai | 1,126,671 | 0.35% | +437% |
| Mazda CX-5 | 128,119 | 0.19% | +341% |
| Renault Twingo | 51,208 | 0.26% | +336% |
| Dacia Sandero | 205,898 | 0.12% | +321% |
Models that fail on it least often
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINI Countryman | 207,050 | 0.00% | -98% |
| Mercedes-Benz GLA | 165,835 | 0.00% | -98% |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque | 326,430 | 0.00% | -98% |
| Porsche Cayenne | 59,466 | 0.00% | -97% |
| Vauxhall Insignia | 417,125 | 0.00% | -97% |
| Land Rover Discovery Sport | 218,712 | 0.00% | -97% |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA | 117,936 | 0.00% | -97% |
| Skoda Citigo | 104,908 | 0.00% | -97% |
| Jaguar XF | 199,994 | 0.00% | -97% |
| BMW Z4 | 70,690 | 0.00% | -96% |
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
- Ball joint: has excessive play · 0.04% of tests
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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.