mechanics.tradeDriveshaft joint boots
Driveshaft joint boots came up 1,269,280 times at the MOT during 2025, the 6th most recorded defect on the list.
1,269,280recorded in 2025
4.1%of all recorded defects
6thon the national list
What it is
A rubber boot seals grease into the joint that lets your driven wheels turn and steer at once. Once it splits, grit gets in and the joint wears fast, so a split boot is a major fault and a perished one a minor.
What the tester can write down
What the tester writes depends on how serious it is: major and minor.
| Wording on the certificate | Category | Recorded in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | Minor | 710,819 |
| A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | Major | 527,932 |
What you can do about it
Replacing the boot early is far cheaper than replacing the joint after dirt has got in. If you hear a regular clicking on full lock, have it looked at rather than waiting for the test.
Nearby on the list
Every defect on the list, from 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025.