Help understand MOT fail pls

[Paul]

This could be my next project (so hush hush), most recent MOT fail is on a couple of bearings, bulbs and this:




Umm...what is it? Not an ARB drop link?

Major worry or just something that needs worn out and replaced?

I'm waaaaay out of my comfort zone on this one ☺️

[xbl]

(a) A steering linkage component with:

(i) relative movement between components which should be fixed
(ii) excessive movement between components or likely to become detached

That's the manual code wording, it's likely to be something on the steering rack, or pitman arms if it's old enough to have idler arms etc.

[Paul]

Cheers - dropped off to the garage tonight, they didn’t tell me if they’d managed to MOT it but obviously just before closing they did. I’ll see what they have to say.

[dragon]

Check the registration number online as the system may have updated.

[timbo1956]

It depends on the testers interpretation of what a drop arm is. To me a drop arm (pitman arm in American) comes off the steering box  to the centre link and tie rod assy. Once When I was on an MOT refresher course the DVLA instructor called the steering arm (arm that connects the track rod end to the suspension upright) a drop arm which had most of us confused.
In your case it sounds like the idler arm is fubar but whatever it is get it changed.

[Paul]

Cheers all.

Turned out to be the steering idler arm that was wobbly. I've ordered a recon from eBay that should be here soon!