A worn suspension bush advisory means wear was noted but the bush is not excessively worn. An excessively worn bush or joint is a major defect and one likely to become detached is dangerous. Rubber bushes fail only on serious deterioration of the rubber or its bonding.
Checked 23 October 2026 against the DVSA MOT inspection manual
- Excessively worn: Major defect
- Likely to detach: Dangerous defect
- Rubber bush fail: Serious deterioration only
- DVSA manual: 5.3.4
What this advisory means
An advisory is recorded when an item is not deteriorated enough to justify a fail, so the presenter is informed of its condition. It does not cause a fail and is noted in the MOT history. A worn suspension arm bush noted this way sits below the threshold for a major defect, which applies when a suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing is excessively worn under DVSA manual 5.3.4 a i. A bush likely to become detached is classed as dangerous under 5.3.4 a ii.
Rubber bushes fail only where there is serious deterioration of the bonding or flexible material, so a note short of that remains an advisory. Play limits apply to pins: 2mm for a 12mm pin, 3mm for a 25mm pin, and 10% of diameter above 25mm. A severely deteriorated joint dust cover is a minor defect, while a missing dust cover is a major defect.
The note therefore records a bush that is worn but not excessively so, and it stays on the MOT history for future reference. It carries no fail outcome and does not by itself change the vehicle's test result. Its value is in documenting the condition at the time of test, so any later deterioration can be judged against the recorded position rather than an unknown starting point.
When it becomes an MOT fail
A suspension arm bush advisory becomes a major defect when the bush is excessively worn under DVSA manual reference 5.3.4 a i. For rubber bushes, excessive wear means serious deterioration of the bonding or of the flexible material itself. Where the wear is advanced enough that the component is likely to become detached, the defect is recorded as dangerous under 5.3.4 a ii. The distinction between major and dangerous rests on whether detachment is judged likely rather than on the age or appearance of the bush alone.
Play limits apply to pins and similar components. A 12mm pin is rejected at 2mm of play, a 25mm pin at 3mm, and pins above 25mm at 10% of their diameter. These figures give the tester a measurable threshold for excessive wear. A bush that remains within its limit and shows no serious deterioration of the bonding stays an advisory. Once the measured play passes the relevant figure, the defect moves into the major category under 5.3.4 a i.
Joint dust covers are treated separately. A severely deteriorated dust cover is a minor defect, while a missing dust cover is a major defect. These cover defects do not by themselves make the bush excessively worn, but they are recorded at the appropriate level alongside any bush assessment. The advisory therefore escalates only where the bush itself meets the excessive wear test or where detachment is likely, with the dust cover rules applying on their own terms.
| DVSA manual ref | Defect | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 5.3.4 (a)(i) | Pin, bush, joint or bearing excessively worn | Major |
| 5.3.4 (a)(ii) | Pin, bush, joint or bearing likely to detach | Dangerous |
| 5.3.4 (b)(i) | Joint dust cover severely deteriorated | Minor |
| 5.3.4 (b)(ii) | Joint dust cover missing | Major |
Source: DVSA manual section 5: suspension, checked 23 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What does an MOT advisory for a worn suspension arm bush 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.
When does a worn suspension bush become a major defect?
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing excessively worn is a major defect under DVSA manual 5.3.4 a i. If it is likely to become detached it is dangerous under 5.3.4 a ii.
How much play is allowed in a suspension pin?
Play limits for pins are 2mm for a 12mm pin, 3mm for a 25mm pin, and 10% of diameter above 25mm. Rubber bushes fail only when there is serious deterioration of the bonding or flexible material.
Does a worn bush advisory stay on the MOT record?
Yes. Advisories are recorded in the MOT history. They do not cause a fail, but they inform the presenter that the item is not deteriorated enough to justify a fail at the time of the test.
What happens if a joint dust cover is damaged?
A severely deteriorated joint dust cover is a minor defect. A missing joint dust cover is a major defect. These are separate from the bush and pin play limits set out in the DVSA manual.
