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MOT fail: track rod end has excessive play

Major defect: the vehicle fails Track rod end ball joint has excessive play DVSA wording, MOT inspection manual item 2.1.3 (b) (i)

Track rod ends join the steering rack to the front wheels, with a ball joint at the end. The tester felt too much looseness in one. Replacing one usually means the wheel alignment is set again.

Can it be driven away? Only if its current MOT is still valid and no dangerous problem was listed, and it must still be roadworthy. GOV.UK rule

What happened after the fail

  • Repaired during the test2%
  • Passed a retest within 35 days92%
  • Not passed within 35 days6%

By age

Highest at 15 years old: 2% of MOTs.

By mileage

Highest at 200k miles or more: 3% of MOTs.

Models that fail on this more than other cars their age

  • Nissan PrimastarOther cars its age: 2 in 10010 in 100
  • Vauxhall VivaroOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1008 in 100
  • Renault TraficOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1008 in 100
  • Chevrolet AveoOther cars its age: 1 in 1007 in 100
  • Renault Grand ModusOther cars its age: 2 in 1007 in 100
  • Chevrolet KalosOther cars its age: 2 in 1007 in 100
  • Renault EspaceOther cars its age: 2 in 1007 in 100
  • Nissan PathfinderOther cars its age: 2 in 1007 in 100
22 more models
  • Renault Grand ScenicOther cars its age: 1 in 1007 in 100
  • Renault KangooOther cars its age: 1 in 1006 in 100
  • Renault MeganeOther cars its age: 1 in 1006 in 100
  • SsangYong RodiusOther cars its age: 0.7 in 1006 in 100
  • Hyundai VelosterOther cars its age: 1 in 1006 in 100
  • Kia SoulOther cars its age: 1 in 1006 in 100
  • Renault ScenicOther cars its age: 1 in 1005 in 100
  • SsangYong RextonOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1005 in 100
  • Renault ClioOther cars its age: 1 in 1005 in 100
  • Kia VengaOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1005 in 100
  • Renault KoleosOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1004 in 100
  • Citroen DS3Other cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • Renault TwingoOther cars its age: 1 in 1004 in 100
  • Nissan QashqaiOther cars its age: 0.8 in 1004 in 100
  • Hyundai Ix20Other cars its age: 0.8 in 1004 in 100
  • Nissan X-TrailOther cars its age: 1.0 in 1004 in 100
  • Nissan JukeOther cars its age: 0.7 in 1004 in 100
  • Mercedes-Benz CitanOther cars its age: 0.5 in 1003 in 100
  • Nissan NavaraOther cars its age: 0.9 in 1003 in 100
  • Hyundai I40Other cars its age: 0.7 in 1003 in 100
  • Jaguar F-PaceOther cars its age: 0.3 in 1002 in 100
  • Jaguar I-PaceOther cars its age: 0.1 in 1000.8 in 100
Out of every 100 MOTs on each model. Models with 20,000 or more MOTs, well above other cars their age, highest first.

Counted from DVSA records of 286,058,652 MOTs, 20 May 2018 to 18 October 2026. A test and its retests count as one MOT. About other vehicles, not a prediction for yours: for what to do, ask a garage. Spotted a mistake? Email fuzzyreguk@gmail.com.

Check a car's MOT history

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