A steering rack play advisory means some free play was felt but not enough to fail. Excessive free play at the wheel rim is a major defect, and dangerous if safe steering is affected. For rack and pinion steering the limit is 13mm at the rim.
Checked 23 October 2026 against the DVSA MOT inspection manual
- Free play limit (rack): 13mm at the rim
- Excessive play: Major defect
- Safe steering affected: Dangerous defect
- DVSA manual: 2.1 and 2.3
What this advisory means
An MOT advisory is used when an item is not deteriorated enough to justify a fail, to inform the presenter. Advisories do not cause a fail and are recorded in the MOT history. Play in the steering rack noted as an advisory therefore means the tester has found some free play but judged it below the threshold for a defect that fails the test. The vehicle has passed, and the observation stays on the record for future reference.
The relevant limits sit in the DVSA manual. Excessive roughness in the steering is a major defect under 2.1.1 a. Free play at the steering wheel rim that is excessive is major under 2.3 a i, and dangerous under 2.3 a ii if safe steering is affected. For rack and pinion steering the free play limit is 13mm at the rim, or 48mm where several joints sit between wheel and rack, based on a 380mm wheel.
Rack gaiters are treated separately. A damaged or deteriorated rack gaiter is minor under 2.1.3 g i, while a missing gaiter, or one no longer keeping dirt out, is major under 2.1.3 g ii. An advisory on play in the rack therefore records a measured condition that has not reached the major threshold, and it does not change the pass result or the legal status of the vehicle.
When it becomes an MOT fail
An advisory on steering rack play becomes a major defect when the free play at the steering wheel rim is excessive. Under DVSA manual section 2.3 a i, excessive free play is recorded as major. It escalates to dangerous under 2.3 a ii where safe steering is affected. For rack and pinion steering, the free play limit is 13mm at the rim, or 48mm where several joints sit between the wheel and the rack, based on a 380mm wheel.
Separately, excessive roughness in the steering is a major defect under DVSA manual 2.1.1 a. A damaged or deteriorated rack gaiter is only a minor defect under 2.1.3 g i. It becomes major under 2.1.3 g ii when the gaiter is missing or no longer keeps dirt out.
The condition that turns the advisory into a major or dangerous defect is therefore measured free play beyond the stated limit, roughness in the steering, or a gaiter that fails to keep dirt out. Each is tied to a specific manual reference, and the dangerous classification applies only where safe steering is affected.
| DVSA manual ref | Defect | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3 (a)(i) | Excessive free play at the steering wheel rim | Major |
| 2.3 (a)(ii) | Free play so excessive safe steering is affected | Dangerous |
| 2.1.3 (g)(i) | Rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated | Minor |
| 2.1.3 (g)(ii) | Rack gaiter missing or not keeping dirt out | Major |
Source: DVSA manual section 2: steering, checked 23 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What does an MOT advisory mean?
An advisory is used when an item is not deteriorated enough to justify a fail, to inform the presenter. Advisories do not cause a fail and are recorded in the MOT history.
Is excessive roughness in the steering a fail?
Yes. Excessive roughness in the steering is a major defect under DVSA manual 2.1.1 a. A major defect results in an MOT fail.
What is the free play limit at the steering wheel rim?
For rack and pinion steering the free play limit is 13mm at the rim, or 48mm where several joints sit between wheel and rack, based on a 380mm wheel. Excessive free play is major under 2.3 a i, and dangerous if safe steering is affected under 2.3 a ii.
How is a damaged steering rack gaiter classified?
A damaged or deteriorated rack gaiter is minor under 2.1.3 g i. A missing gaiter, or one no longer keeping dirt out, is major under 2.1.3 g ii.
Does an advisory affect the MOT result?
No. An advisory does not cause a fail. It is recorded in the MOT history to inform the presenter of an item that is not deteriorated enough to justify a fail.
