MOT failure · RFR #40645
Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play
Total
1,380
Models
59
Models most at risk.
Ranked by rate, not raw volume. A Fiesta shows every failure a lot because there are a lot of Fiestas. Rate = share of that model's own MOTs.
Failure match · your reg
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- 01 Royal Alloy GT 125i 2.06%
- 02 Peugeot Kisbee 1.59%
- 03 Lexmoto Lxr 125 SY 125 10 1.49%
- 04 Yamaha Gpd125 A Nmax 125 Abs 1.18%
- 05 Honda Nss 0.94%
- 06 Honda Nsc 0.88%
- 07 Honda WW 0.86%
- 08 Honda Cbf 0.83%
- 09 Honda Nsc 110 Mpd K 0.82%
- 10 Peugeot Speedfight 0.79%
- 11 Piaggio Zip 0.78%
- 12 Honda SH 125 AD L 0.73%
- 13 Honda Cbf600 0.72%
- 14 Yamaha Ybr 0.65%
- 15 Yamaha Gpd 0.62%
- 16 Honda SH 0.62%
- 17 Yamaha XC 0.61%
- 18 Royal Enfield Himalayan 0.57%
- 19 BMW F 800 0.53%
- 20 Honda Cbr 0.52%
- 21 Honda Vtr1000 F 0.51%
- 22 BMW F Series 0.51%
- 23 Honda Vfr800 FI 0.49%
- 24 Honda Glr 0.46%
- 25 Honda Cbr1100xx 0.43%
- 26 Kawasaki ZX 6R 0.42%
- 27 Honda St1100 0.41%
- 28 Honda Cbr 650 RA K 0.39%
- 29 Honda WW 125 A M 0.38%
- 30 Kawasaki ZX 9R 0.37%
Top 30 by rate. 29 more models also logged this defect.
Typical UK garage cost
£90–£190
for steering ball joint replacement. Range covers regional rate spread + part-quality variance. This one needs a lift and a torque wrench — book a garage rather than self-fitting. Open the estimator →
Frequently asked.
- Why does steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy,… fail an MOT?
- Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play. Most commonly flagged on the Royal Alloy GT 125i. UK MOT standards require this item to meet minimum safety thresholds — when it falls short, the tester logs it as a Major or Dangerous defect and the car fails outright.
- How much does it cost to fix steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy,…?
- Typical UK garage cost for steering ball joint replacement is £90–£190. The range reflects regional labour rate differences and part-quality choices. Main dealer rates are usually 30–50% higher.
- Can I fix steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy,… myself?
- This repair typically needs workshop equipment — a lift and specialist tools. Most owners book a garage rather than attempt it at home.
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