mechanics.tradeTrack rod end: ball joint has excessive play
This was recorded 410,574 times on cars and light vans in 2025, which makes it number 24 on the list of things that stop a car passing.
410,574recorded in 2025
24on the national list
2.0%of the top forty defects
What the tester is looking at
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
How serious it counts as
The tester records this as a major defect. What the categories mean.
Other things checked on the track rod end
All forty defects, from 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025.