MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Mazda BT-50 fail the MOT on steering more than it should?

The Mazda BT-50 records 5.55 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.45 expected for a lcv of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.90, 95% interval −2.56 to −1.24). It ranks 472 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Mazda BT-50 by registration

What exactly fails on steering?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda BT-50 is “A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play”, recorded 190 times in 2019–2024.

Mazda BT-50: most frequent steering defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play1902.92
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated380.58

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 6,506 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

If a Mazda BT-50 gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?

9.2% of Mazda BT-50 MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,071 miles later (557 advisories followed).

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 557 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Other pages for this model

Mazda BT-50 by postcode area · Mazda BT-50 body, chassis and structure failures · Mazda BT-50 brakes failures · Mazda BT-50 vehicle identification failures · Mazda BT-50 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mazda BT-50 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mazda BT-50 seat belts and airbags failures · Mazda BT-50 suspension failures · Mazda BT-50 tyres failures · Mazda BT-50 visibility failures