Suspension arm pin or bush worn
How it can appear on an MOT certificate
- “Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement”
- “Suspension bush deteriorated”
- “Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn”
What it is
Rubber bushes cushion the joints where suspension arms mount to the car. They perish and crack with age, letting the arm move more than it should.
Why it matters
Worn bushes can cause knocking, vague handling and uneven tyre wear. Light wear is usually an advisory; excessive movement is a fail.
What to check when viewing a car
Listen for clunks over bumps and under braking. Uneven front tyre wear can be a related sign.
Has the car you're looking at had this before?
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What the MOT categories mean
- Dangerous
- A direct and immediate risk to road safety, or a serious impact on the environment. The car fails and shouldn't be driven until it's repaired.
- Major
- It may affect the car's safety, put other road users at risk or harm the environment. The car fails and should be repaired straight away.
- Minor
- No significant effect on safety or the environment. The car passes, but it should be repaired as soon as possible.
- Advisory
- Something to keep an eye on that could need repairing in future. The car passes.
Related: suspension and steering
- Coil spring fractured or broken
- Shock absorber leaking or worn
- Suspension arm ball joint worn
- Anti-roll bar linkage (drop link) worn
- Anti-roll bar bush or mounting worn
- Steering rack gaiter split or damaged
Buying a used car?
General information about this type of MOT defect, not advice about a particular car. How serious it is depends on the car; have any car you're buying inspected by a qualified mechanic.