MOT Test of Steering (2)
Whilst the actual MOT test of steering is substantially unchanged, there are some aspects where there are subtle differences from the Tester’s point of view. However for motorists doing their best to check their vehicle’s steering for the MOT, much the same applies. Here are the checks the average motorist can do prior to the Test:
Under bonnet checks
This varies vehicle to vehicle; some of these items cannot be observed from under the bonnet on some makes and models.
- security of the steering rack or steering box and its mountings
- play in steering joints
- Inspection of any other swivel joints which form part of the vehicles’ steering system which can be readily inspected from under the bonnet
Under vehicle checks:
- All the steering joints are inspected by the Tester whilst the steering is loaded by turning the steering wheel from side to side, or by the use of approved wheel play detectors
View short clip of play detectors being used here - Power steering systems are checked with the engine running
- The security of attachment of the steering rack or steering box is checked both with respect to the tightness of nuts and bolts, and structural cracking or corrosion of the vehicle chassis where it is attached
- Whilst the vehicle stands on special swivel plates the wheels are turned from lock to lock and checked for smoothness of operation and to ensure that the wheels and tyres do not foul either the structure of the vehicle or any brake pipes or hoses
- with the wheels jacked the wheel bearings are checked
- steering rack gaiters and front outer constant velocity joint boots are examined
- metal and/or rubber bushes are checked as are split pins, locking nuts and other locking or retaining devices which relate to steering components
- On some cars there will be rear wheel steering which is checked from beneath the car
MOT Test of tyres and wheels here
Steering gear condition
The following categories apply to defects in this section:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Excessive roughness in operation of steering | Major |
| b. Sector shaft: i. twisted or splines excessively worn | Major |
| ii. twisted or splines worn to the extent that functionality is affected | Dangerous |
| c. Sector shaft: i. excessively worn | Major |
| ii. worn to the extent that functionality is affected | Dangerous |
| d. Sector shaft: i. has excessive movement | Major |
| ii. movement so excessive that functionality is affected | Dangerous |
| d. Steering box: i. leaking oil | Minor |
| ii. leaking to the extent that oil is dripping | Major |
Steering gear security
‘Steering gear’ refers to any steering rack, box, idler, relay or intermediate drop arm pivot housing.
The following categories apply to defects in this section:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Steering gear casing: i. not properly attached | Major |
| ii. retaining devices dangerously loose or relative movement to chassis/bodywork visible | Dangerous |
| b. Steering gear casing fixing holes in chassis: i. elongated | Major |
| ii. elongated to the extent that attachment is seriously affected | Dangerous |
| c. Steering gear fixing bolts: i. missing or ineffective | Major |
| ii. missing or ineffective to the extent that attachment is seriously affected | Dangerous |
| d. Steering gear casing: i. fractured | Major |
| ii. fractured and stability or attachment of casing affected | Dangerous |
| d. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any steering component mounting (a ‘prescribed area’): i. is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | Major |
| ii. is so weakened that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected | Dangerous |
Steering linkage condition
The following categories apply to defects in this section:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Steering linkage component with: i. relative movement between components which should be fixed | Major |
| ii. excessive movement between components or likely to become detached | Dangerous |
| b. A steering ball joint: i. with excessive wear or free play | Major |
| ii. worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment | Dangerous |
| c. A steering linkage component: i. fractured or deformed | Major |
| ii. fractured or deformed to the extent that steering is affected | Dangerous |
| d. Steering linkage retaining or locking device missing or ineffective | Major |
| e. Track rod or drag link ends seriously misaligned | Major |
| f. A steering linkage component: i. with an unsafe modification | Major |
| ii. modified to the extent that steering is affected | Dangerous |
| g. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: i. damaged or deteriorated | Minor |
| ii. missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc. | Major |
Steering linkage operation
A missing steering lock stop should only be failed if it was fitted as standard.
The following categories apply to defects in this section:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Steering linkage fouling any part of the vehicle | Major |
| b. Steering lock-stop missing or incorrectly adjusted | Major |
Power steering
If power steering isn’t working, the Tester may have to do a road test to check if the steering is adversely affected.
Power steering fluid leaks will only be rejected where a component, joint or seal has failed.
If the power steering has a defect, that could be detectable during driving. The vehicle may be continually trying to steer to one side or the other. Or it could be very stiff – or stiff one way and not the other. Fluid leaks will show on the floor directly beneath the steering system. In any situation where the steering is adversely affected by a power steering defect, that would be considered as a ‘dangerous’ defect.
Also check the level of the power steering fluid in the reservoir. If it is empty that is a fail. But if that is the case, there may be a leak of fluid, which of itself is also an MOT failure
The following categories apply to defects in this section:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning | Major |
| b. Power steering fluid: i. level below minimum mark | Minor |
| ii. reservoir empty | Major |
| c. Power steering: i. inoperative | Major |
| ii. inoperative and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
| d. Power steering component: i. fractured or insecure | Major |
| ii. fractured or insecure and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
| e. Power steering component: i. fouling or misaligned | Major |
| ii. fouling or misaligned and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
| f. Power steering component: i. with an unsafe modification | Major |
| ii. modified and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
| g. Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: i. excessively damaged or corroded | Major |
| ii. excessively damaged or corroded and steering adversely affected | Dangerous |
Steering wheel and column
The following categories apply to defects in this section:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Relative movement between steering wheel and column: i. indicating looseness | Major |
| ii. such that there is a serious risk of detachment | Dangerous |
| b. Steering wheel: i. retaining device missing | Major |
| ii. likely to become detached | Dangerous |
| c. Steering wheel rim or spokes: i. fractured or loose | Major |
| ii. likely to become detached | Dangerous |
Steering column
The Tester will check for play and condition of flexible couplings or universal joints.
The following categories apply to defects in this section:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Excessive movement of centre of steering wheel up or down | Major |
| b. Excessive radial movement between the top of the steering column and the shaft indicating an excessively worn top bearing | Major |
| c. Excessive deterioration of a flexible coupling | Major |
| d. Attachment of steering column: i. defective | Major |
| ii. defective or loose to the extent that there is a serious risk of detachment | Dangerous |
| e. Unsafe modification to steering column, forks or fork yoke | Major |
Steering play
The Tester will check for play in the steering by sitting in the car and turning the steering wheel and seeing how far it turns without turning the road wheels.
The Tester will allow for construction of the mechanism and the size of the steering wheel.
The following categories apply to defects in this section:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: i. excessive | Major |
| ii. excessive to the extent that safe steering is affected | Dangerous |
Electronic power steering (EPS)
If electronic power steering is an optional fitment on the vehicle but it’s been disconnected, the vehicle will only be failed if the steering is adversely affected. A road test may have to be carried out by the Tester to check this.
If a vehicle has a manually switched electronic park assist but the power assistance isn’t working, the vehicle will only be failed if the steering is adversely affected. The Tester may have to do a road test to check this.
For ‘fly by wire’ steering systems, the Tester will check that the steered wheels are pointing straight ahead with the steering wheel in the straight ahead position.
The following categories apply to defects in this section:
| Defect | Category |
|---|---|
| a. EPS MIL indicating a system malfunction | Major |
| b. On ‘fly by wire systems’, the angle of the steering wheel and the angle of the road wheels is: i. inconsistent | Major |
| ii. inconsistent to the extent that safe steering is affected | Dangerous |
| c. Electronic power assistance not working | Major |
Link to all MOT Test procedures and failure items descriptions HERE