MOT defects

Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension: 259 MOT defect wordings

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 130,233,413 MOT tests · Updated 7 Oct 2026

259 axles, wheels, tyres and suspension defect wordings were recorded 93,571,027 times in 130,233,413 MOT tests from 2022 to 2025 ^[1].

Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.

All axles, wheels, tyres and suspension wordings

Every wording in this section, most recorded first. Per 100 MOT tests at all ages.
Wording	Recorded as	Per 100 MOT tests
Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge	advisory	18.0
Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing	advisory	8.49
Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement	advisory	4.92
Coil spring corroded	advisory	3.09
Shock absorber has light misting of oil	advisory	2.89
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	fail	2.40
Coil spring fractured or broken	fail	2.37
Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	1.89
Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn	fail	1.41
Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords	advisory	1.35
Tyre has ply or cords exposed	fail	1.34
Suspension arm ball joint has slight play	advisory	1.31
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	fail	1.31
Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn	fail	1.19
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play	advisory	1.18
Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	1.08
Road wheel slightly distorted	advisory	0.86
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak	fail	0.86
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated	minor defect	0.80
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	fail	0.70
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn	fail	0.67
Tyre slightly damaged	advisory	0.65
Component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive	advisory	0.63
Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	fail	0.56
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated	minor defect	0.56
Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength	fail	0.49
Wheel bearing has slight play	advisory	0.47
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	fail	0.45
Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	fail	0.44
Swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn	advisory	0.43
Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement	advisory	0.38
Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative	fail	0.38
Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement	advisory	0.37
Wheel bearing slightly noisy	advisory	0.34
Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement	advisory	0.33
Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush	advisory	0.32
Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play	advisory	0.29
Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	fail	0.29
Wheel bearing rough when rotated	fail	0.29
Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing	advisory	0.28
Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated	minor defect	0.27
Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.26
Road wheel fixing missing	fail	0.25
Sub-frame mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive	advisory	0.24
Shock absorber has a reduced damping effect	advisory	0.24
Tyre obviously under inflated	minor defect	0.20
Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn	fail	0.19
Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.19
Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement	advisory	0.18
Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	fail	0.17
Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.15
Wheel bearing has excessive play	fail	0.15
Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush	fail	0.13
Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm	fail	0.12
Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn	advisory	0.12
Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened	fail	0.11
Tyres of different sizes are fitted on the same axle	fail	0.10
Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn	fail	0.098
Shock absorber has negligible damping effect	fail	0.098
Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened	fail	0.097
Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn	fail	0.096
Swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn	fail	0.091
Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play	fail	0.083
Suspension component ball joint excessively worn	fail	0.081
Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached	fail	0.080
Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated	minor defect	0.076
Suspension component ball joint has slight play	advisory	0.070
Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions	fail	0.064
Tyre has ply or cords damaged	fail	0.063
Spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive	advisory	0.059
Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached	fail	0.054
Tyre valve stem slightly damaged	advisory	0.052
Macpherson strut pin or bush excessively worn	fail	0.051
Sub-frame mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength	fail	0.050
Anti-roll bar linkage fractured	fail	0.050
Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.050
Road wheel fractured	fail	0.047
Attachment bracket and mounting damaged but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.037
Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn	fail	0.037
Road wheel badly distorted	fail	0.035
Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached	fail	0.032
Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	fail	0.032
Coil spring worn	advisory	0.031
Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement	advisory	0.030
Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn	fail	0.028
Component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive	advisory	0.028
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint likely to become detached	fail	0.027
Component mounting prescribed area repair covered in underseal	advisory	0.026
Spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength	fail	0.025
Leaf spring fractured	fail	0.025
Tyre valve stem seriously damaged	fail	0.024
Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle	fail	0.022
Macpherson strut ball joint has slight play	advisory	0.020
Anti-roll bar linkage damaged but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.020
Wheel bearing so rough it is likely to overheat or break up	fail	0.020
Attachment bracket and mounting corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.019
Attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced	advisory	0.019
Leaf spring has slight wear in a shackle pin and/or bush	advisory	0.019
Component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected	fail	0.018
Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up	fail	0.018
Tyres with different aspect ratios are fitted on the same axle	fail	0.017
Suspension rod ball joint has slight play	advisory	0.017
Road wheel more than one fixing missing	fail	0.016
Suspension arm damaged but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.016
Coil spring corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened	fail	0.016
Shock absorber insecurely attached	fail	0.016
Component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength	fail	0.016
Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush likely to become detached	fail	0.015
Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.015
Suspension rod ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated	minor defect	0.015
Macpherson strut damaged but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.014
Suspension rod ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	fail	0.014
Anti-roll bar linkage insecure and impairing directional stability	fail	0.014
Attachment bracket and mounting damaged and seriously weakened	fail	0.013
Coil spring mounting damaged but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.013
Anti-roll bar ball joint likely to become detached	fail	0.013
Anti-roll bar linkage missing	fail	0.013
Anti-roll bar linkage damaged and seriously weakened	fail	0.012
Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened	fail	0.012
Coil spring insecure	fail	0.012
Shock absorber likely to become detached	fail	0.012
Attachment bracket/mounting insecure and impairing directional stability	fail	0.012
Attachment bracket/mounting insecure	fail	0.011
Road wheel fixing loose	fail	0.010
Shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function	fail	0.010
Leaf spring main leaf fractured	fail	0.010
Attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened	fail	0.010
Suspension arm damaged and seriously weakened	fail	0.009
Component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired	fail	0.009
Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened	fail	0.009
Sub-frame damaged but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.008
Suspension rod ball joint excessively worn	fail	0.008
Anti-roll bar damaged but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.008
Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn	fail	0.008
Leaf spring has slight wear in an anchor pin and/or bush	advisory	0.007
Suspension arm insecurely attached	fail	0.007
Suspension component corroded and seriously weakened	fail	0.007
Wheel bearing play so excessive that directional control is impaired	fail	0.007
Attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached	fail	0.007
Anti-roll bar linkage likely to become detached	fail	0.006
Component mounting prescribed area fractured significantly reducing structural strength	fail	0.006
Anti-roll bar fractured	fail	0.006
Suspension rod corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.006
Sub-frame mounting prescribed area repair covered in underseal	advisory	0.006
Sub-frame mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive	advisory	0.006
Attachment bracket and mounting likely to fail	fail	0.006
Sub-frame ball joint has slight play	advisory	0.006
Suspension component ball joint likely to become detached	fail	0.006
Sub-frame mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected	fail	0.005
Axle deformed but serviceable	advisory	0.005
Attachment bracket/mounting fractured	fail	0.005
Axle fractured	fail	0.005
Anti-roll bar linkage attachment bracket/mounting fractured	fail	0.005
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover missing	fail	0.005
Suspension arm likely to fail	fail	0.005
Macpherson strut damaged and seriously weakened	fail	0.005
Coil spring mounting damaged and seriously weakened	fail	0.005
Suspension arm likely to become detached	fail	0.005
Suspension arm fractured	fail	0.005
Anti-roll bar damaged and seriously weakened	fail	0.004
Anti-roll bar insecurely attached	fail	0.004
Air suspension system inoperative	fail	0.004
Leaf spring shackle pin or bush excessively worn	fail	0.004
Suspension component damaged but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.004
Attachment bracket and mounting corroded and seriously weakened	fail	0.004
Coil spring modified but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.004
Macpherson strut ball joint excessively worn	fail	0.004
Road wheel more than one fixing loose	fail	0.004
Road wheel has a welding defect	fail	0.004
Swivel pin and/or bush so worn or insecure that directional stability is impaired	fail	0.004
Suspension arm insecure and impairing directional stability	fail	0.004
Tyre has had the tread recut	fail	0.004
Coil spring mounting insecure to the extent that relative movement is visible	fail	0.003
Anti-roll bar pin or bush likely to become detached	fail	0.003
Sub-frame fractured	fail	0.003
Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.003
Axle has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam	advisory	0.003
Attachment bracket/mounting damaged but its strength is not seriously reduced	advisory	0.003
Tyre valve stem seriously misaligned	fail	0.003
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover missing	fail	0.003
Coil spring with an unsafe modification	fail	0.003
Attachment bracket/mounting missing	fail	0.003
Sub-frame ball joint excessively worn	fail	0.003
Tyre fitted to a bus or coach is close to ten years old	advisory	0.003
Coil spring mounting insecure	fail	0.003
Tyre valve stem slightly misaligned	advisory	0.003
Tyres with different structures are fitted across the same axle	fail	0.003
Attachment bracket and mounting modified but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.003
Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover missing	fail	0.003
Spring mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive	advisory	0.003
Tyre incorrectly seated on the wheel rim	fail	0.003
Coil spring worn so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened	fail	0.003
Macpherson strut insecurely attached	fail	0.003
Air suspension bellows damaged but not to excess	advisory	0.003
Attachment bracket/mounting damaged and seriously weakened	fail	0.003
Spring mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected	fail	0.002
Sub-frame likely to fail	fail	0.002
Macpherson strut modified but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.002
Sub-frame insecurely attached	fail	0.002
Anti-roll bar insecure and impairing directional stability	fail	0.002
Road wheel distorted to the extent the tyre is likely to become detached	fail	0.002
Anchor bracket corroded but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.002
Road wheel fixings not compatible	fail	0.002
Anti-roll bar linkage likely to fail	fail	0.002
Anti-roll bar likely to become detached	fail	0.002
Anti-roll bar modified but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.002
Anti-roll bar linkage corroded and seriously weakened	fail	0.002
Suspension component insecurely attached	fail	0.002
Anti-roll bar linkage modified but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.002
Attachment bracket/mounting likely to fail	fail	0.002
Suspension arm modified but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.002
Sub-frame damaged and seriously weakened	fail	0.002
Coil spring mounting fractured	fail	0.002
Anti-roll bar missing	fail	0.002
Sub-frame mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength	fail	0.002
Air suspension pipe damaged but not to excess	advisory	0.002
Attachment bracket and mounting fractured	fail	0.002
Road wheel fractured at bridge over valve	advisory	0.002
Spring mounting prescribed area repair covered in underseal	advisory	0.002
Macpherson strut likely to become detached	fail	0.002
Anti-roll bar corroded and seriously weakened	fail	0.002
Macpherson strut insecure and impairing directional stability	fail	0.002
Suspension unit leaking	fail	0.002
Macpherson strut pin or bush likely to become detached	fail	0.001
Sub-frame mounting prescribed area fractured significantly reducing structural strength	fail	0.001
Stub axle has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam	advisory	0.001
Macpherson strut likely to fail	fail	0.001
Coil spring missing and directional control affected	fail	0.001
Sub-frame ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated	minor defect	0.001
Tyre over ten years old fitted to a rear axle of a bus	advisory	0.001
Axle deformed and unserviceable	fail	0.001
Sub-frame modified but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.001
Leaf spring modified but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.001
Tyres of different size tyres are fitted on twin wheels	fail	0.001
Macpherson strut fractured	fail	0.001
Leaf spring anchor pin or bush excessively worn	fail	0.001
Sub-frame likely to become detached	fail	0.001
Macpherson strut ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated	minor defect	0.001
Anti-roll bar linkage attachment bracket/mounting likely to fail	fail	0.001
Suspension rod damaged but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.001
Suspension unit damaged but not to excess	advisory	0.001
Spring mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength	fail	0.001
Attachment bracket and mounting has an unsafe modification	fail	0.001
Macpherson strut ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	fail	0.001
Component mounting prescribed area fractured to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected	fail	0.001
Suspension arm has an unsafe modification	fail	0.001
Suspension component modified but not seriously weakened	advisory	0.001
Anti-roll bar linkage has an unsafe modification	fail	0.001
Sub-frame mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired	fail	under 0.001
Air suspension pipe leaking	fail	under 0.001
Air suspension component leaking	fail	under 0.001
Axle has excessive vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam	fail	under 0.001
Suspension component pin or bush likely to become detached	fail	under 0.001
Coil spring missing	fail	under 0.001
Suspension component damaged and seriously weakened	fail	under 0.001
Sub-frame insecure and impairing directional stability	fail	under 0.001
Swivel joints/housing so worn or insecure in a stub axle that directional stability is impaired	fail	under 0.001
Sub-frame pin or bush likely to become detached	fail	under 0.001
Suspension arm modified so the suspension is likely to foul other components	fail	under 0.001

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These figures are for every car tested. One car's MOT history, by registration, lists each advisory and fail item its testers recorded, and when.

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Questions people ask

Which axles, wheels, tyres and suspension defect do testers record most?

18.0 in 100 MOT tests record “Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge”, the most recorded wording in this section (130,233,413 MOT tests).

How many axles, wheels, tyres and suspension wordings are fails?

170 of the 259 wordings here are fails (major or dangerous defects); the others are advisories and minor defects, which pass.

Which axles, wheels, tyres and suspension advisory most often turns into a fail?

11.8% of component mounting prescribed areas advisories were followed by a fail on it at the next MOT, against 1.9% for cars the same ages without one.

Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.

Sources

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 130,233,413 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Rates are per 100 MOT tests of class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans) at each age. Model comparisons are against all class 4 vehicles of the same ages and fuel, pooled over 2022 to 2025 tests: they are not matched on test year or on mileage. Advisory figures count pairs of consecutive MOT tests of the same vehicle: "next MOT" means its next test 300 to 500 days (about 10 to 16 months) later, and the no-advisory comparison is standardised to the advised vehicles' age bands. Repairs between MOTs and breakdowns are not in this data. How we compare