Yes, if the boot on a drive shaft's constant velocity (CV) joint is missing, split or loose so that it no longer keeps dirt out. A boot that's badly deteriorated but still sealed is a minor defect, which passes.
Testers grade each defect: a major or dangerous defect fails the MOT, a minor one passes but is written on the certificate.
| Defect | Result |
|---|---|
| A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | PassesMinor |
| A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing, split or insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | FailsMajor |
From DVSA's MOT inspection manual for cars and passenger vehicles. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
In 2025, 423,383 car MOTs failed on a CV boot: 1.35%, or about 1 in 74. Another 438,948 MOTs recorded it as a minor defect, which passes.
Share of the MOTs that failed on a CV boot. One MOT can fail for more than one reason.
Share of car MOTs in each mileage band that failed on a CV boot.
3.30% of MOTs on cars registered in 2005 failed on a CV boot, against 0.09% for cars registered in 2022.
Models that failed on a CV boot at least 1.15 times as often as the average car of the same age and mileage, out of 87 with at least 30 MOTs failed on it.
Least often: BMW 1 Series (0.0×), Mercedes C-Class (0.0×), BMW 3 Series (0.0×), Mercedes E-Class (0.1×), Mazda CX-5 (0.1×).
Yes, if it's split or missing
In 2025, 423,383 car MOTs failed on a CV boot, about 1 in 74.
1 in 74car MOTs failed on a CV boot in 2025
438,948minor defects recorded in 2025, which pass
Yes, if the boot on a drive shaft's constant velocity (CV) joint is missing, split or loose so that it no longer keeps dirt out. A boot that's badly deteriorated but still sealed is a minor defect, which passes.
In 2025, 423,383 car MOTs failed on a CV boot: 1.35%, or about 1 in 74.
Against the average car of the same age and mileage, the Peugeot 2008 (9.5 times as often), Dacia Sandero (6.1 times as often) and Peugeot 208 (4.6 times as often), going by 2025 MOT results.