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Dangerous MOT Failures - Steering
Part of the Dangerous MOT Failures Explained series.
Steering issues are among the most hazardous faults on any MOT report. If a car’s steering components are loose, worn, or likely to fail, it can’t be driven safely - and will fail its MOT instantly.
The MOT test guidelines highlight 28 potentially dangerous steering-related faults.
Each indicates that the driver may lose control of the vehicle under normal conditions.
Full List of Dangerous MOT Faults: Steering
| Vehicle System / Component | MOT Manual Reference | Specific Fault / Issue | Description | MOT Fault Category |
| Steering | 2.1.1. Steering gear condition | (b) Sector shaft | (ii) twisted or splines worn to the extent that functionality is affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.1. Steering gear condition | (c) Sector shaft | (ii) worn to the extent that functionality is affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.1. Steering gear condition | (d) Sector shaft | (ii) movement so excessive that functionality is affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.2. Steering gear security | (a) Steering gear casing | (ii) retaining devices dangerously loose or relative movement to chassis/bodywork visible | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.2. Steering gear security | (b) Steering gear casing fixing holes in chassis | (ii) elongated to the extent that attachment is seriously affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.2. Steering gear security | (c) Steering gear fixing bolts | (ii) missing or ineffective to the extent that attachment is seriously affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.2. Steering gear security | (d) Steering gear casing | (ii) fractured and stability or attachment of casing affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.2. Steering gear security | (e) The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any steering component mounting (a ‘prescribed area’) | (ii) is so weakened that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.3. Steering linkage condition | (a) A steering linkage component with | (ii) excessive movement between components or likely to become detached | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.3. Steering linkage condition | (b) A steering ball joint | (ii) worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.3. Steering linkage condition | (c) A steering linkage component | (ii) fractured or deformed to the extent that steering is affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.3. Steering linkage condition | (f) A steering linkage component | (ii) modified to the extent that steering is affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.3. Steering linkage condition | (h) Rear wheel steering inoperative and | (ii) control of vehicle adversely affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.5. Power steering | (c) Power steering | (ii) inoperative and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.5. Power steering | (d) Power steering component | (ii) fractured or insecure and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.5. Power steering | (e) Power steering component | (ii) fouling or misaligned and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.5. Power steering | (f) Power steering component | (ii) modified and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.1.5. Power steering | (g) Power steering pipe, hose or wiring | (ii) damaged or corroded and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.2.1. Steering wheel or handlebar condition | (a) Relative movement between steering wheel and column | (ii) such that there is a serious risk of detachment | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.2.1. Steering wheel or handlebar condition | (b) Steering wheel | (ii) likely to become detached | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.2.1. Steering wheel or handlebar condition | (c) Steering wheel rim or spokes | (ii) likely to become detached | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.2.1. Steering wheel or handlebar condition | (d) Handlebar | (ii) fractured or insecure to the extent that steering is adversely affected or detachment likely | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.2.1. Steering wheel or handlebar condition | (e) Handlebar | (ii) deformed or corroded to the extent that steering is adversely affected or failure likely | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.2.1. Steering wheel or handlebar condition | (f) Handlebar handgrips | (ii) insecure to handlebar | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.2.2. Steering column or forks and yokes | (d) Attachment of steering column | (ii) defective to the extent that there is a serious risk of detachment | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.2.2. Steering column or forks and yokes | (f) Forks or fork yoke | (ii) in such a condition that steering control is adversely affected or detachment likely | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.3 Steering Play | (a) Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is | (ii) excessive to the extent that safe steering is affected | Dangerous |
| Steering | 2.6 Electronic power steering (EPS) | (b) On ‘fly by wire systems’, the angle of the steering wheel and the angle of the road wheels is | (ii) inconsistent to the extent that the steering is adversely affected | Dangerous |
Steering – What to Do If You Fail for This Issue
A steering failure is extremely serious.
Whether it’s loose linkages or a worn rack, don’t attempt to drive the vehicle even to a garage.
Request a recovery service and have the garage carry out the repairs on-site or arrange for safe transport.
Once fixed, the vehicle will require a partial MOT retest to return to the road.
Steering – Symptoms to Watch For
- Steering feels loose, vague or drifts
- Knocking noises when turning
- Steering wheel doesn't return to centre
- Uneven steering effort or stiffness
- Vibration through the wheel while driving
Steering faults can worsen quickly and dramatically affect control. If anything does not feel right when you turn the wheel, don’t wait for your MOT to confirm it.