MOT & ROADWORTHINESS · LAST REVIEWED: JUNE 2026
TL;DR: A suspension arm bush worn advisory means the tester saw wear or deterioration in a rubber suspension bush that has not yet reached a failure point. The car passed, but the bush is flagged to watch, because worn bushes affect handling and can progress to a major defect.
A suspension arm bush worn advisory points to one of the rubber components that cushion the joints of the suspension. As an advisory it means the tester judged the wear to be below the level that would fail the test, so the vehicle passed, while flagging the bush as a part that is deteriorating.
Bushes absorb movement and vibration between metal suspension parts and the body. As the rubber ages it can crack, soften or split, which is why a worn bush is a common advisory on older cars and on vehicles that cover high mileage.
KEY FACTS
- An advisory is not a failure: the vehicle passes, but DVSA records the bush as worth monitoring before the next test.
- Suspension components are assessed under the DVSA MOT inspection manual, which separates advisory, major and dangerous defects.
- A bush that is badly split, has excessive play, or allows abnormal movement in the suspension is recorded as a major defect rather than an advisory.
- The current defect grades of dangerous, major, minor and advisory were introduced in May 2018.
- Driving without a valid MOT can bring a fine of up to £1,000 under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
What a suspension bush does
A bush is typically a sleeve of rubber, sometimes bonded between metal collars, fitted where a suspension arm meets the body or another component. It allows the arm to pivot while damping vibration and small movements. This keeps the suspension geometry controlled and the ride comfortable.
When a tester records the bush as worn, the rubber has begun to perish, crack or soften, but not to the point where it allows excessive movement. The advisory is the documented early stage of a component that will eventually need replacing.
When a worn bush becomes a failure
A bush crosses into a major defect when the wear is significant enough to allow abnormal movement or play in the suspension, when the rubber is badly split or deteriorated, or when it affects the security of a suspension component. At that point the geometry and handling can be affected and the tester records a fail.
Worn bushes can also accelerate the wear of nearby parts such as tyres, because the suspension is no longer held precisely. Addressing the bush while it is still an advisory can prevent the wider wear that comes once movement becomes excessive.
Why testers record it and what to do
Testers log the advisory so the owner has a documented record of a wearing component, which appears on the online MOT history as well as the certificate. This gives advance notice of a likely repair and a record a used car buyer can review.
Bushes are usually pressed out and replaced rather than repaired, and the work can involve removing part of the suspension arm. Any suspension work should be carried out by a competent mechanic, with the wheel alignment checked afterwards where the geometry has been disturbed.
Symptoms of a worn bush
Between tests a worn bush can announce itself in the way the car drives. A knocking or clunking noise over bumps, speed humps or potholes is a common symptom, because the worn rubber allows the suspension arm to move more than it should against its mounting. The noise often comes from the front of the car where many of the bushes sit.
Handling can change too. A car with worn bushes may feel less precise, wander slightly, or feel vague through corners, because the suspension is no longer holding its geometry firmly. Uneven or accelerated tyre wear on one edge can be another sign, since the wheel is not held at the intended angle.
These symptoms do not by themselves confirm a bush is the cause, as other suspension and steering parts can produce similar effects. That is why an advisory is useful: it records that a tester has identified the bush specifically, which narrows down where to look if symptoms develop.
Because bushes wear gradually, the change can be easy to miss from behind the wheel until it is well advanced. Treating the advisory as an early warning, and having the suspension inspected if knocking or uneven tyre wear appears, helps catch the point at which the bush moves from an advisory to a failure.
It also helps to keep the wider picture in mind. Bushes are one of several rubber and metal joints in the suspension and steering, including ball joints, drop links and track rod ends, and they tend to age together on a car of a given mileage. When one bush is recorded as worn, having the related joints looked over at the same time can be more efficient than addressing each in isolation as it fails. The MOT history, which lists advisories test by test, gives a running record of how these components are progressing and supports planning the work sensibly rather than reacting to one failure at a time. Where the wheels are off the car for other work, such as a brake or tyre change, is often a convenient moment to have the bushes inspected, since much of the access has already been gained and the labour can be shared across the jobs rather than duplicated at a later visit.
Worn bushes also accelerate uneven tyre wear, because the wheel geometry moves under load. Drivers who replace bushes promptly often recover part of the cost in longer tyre life alone.
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DISCLAIMER: This guide is general information, not professional advice. MOT rules and fees are set by the DVSA and can change. Check gov.uk for current requirements before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a suspension arm bush worn advisory mean?
It means the tester saw wear or deterioration in a rubber suspension bush that has not yet reached a failure point. The car passed, but DVSA has flagged the bush as a part to monitor and likely replace before it worsens.
Is a worn suspension bush an MOT failure?
Not at the advisory stage. It becomes a major defect, and a fail, when the bush is badly split, allows excessive play or abnormal movement, or affects the security of a suspension component.
How long can I drive with a worn bush advisory?
The MOT stays valid for its full term, so there is no legal cut-off tied to the advisory. Bushes continue to deteriorate, so the component should be checked before the next test and replaced if play develops or the ride and handling change.
Can a worn bush affect other parts?
Yes. A worn bush lets the suspension move more than intended, which can lead to uneven tyre wear and extra stress on nearby joints. Replacing it while it is still an advisory can limit that knock-on wear.
