MOT Advisories - how urgent?

[jimmym105]

Hi all,

After some friendly advice, please. Have just passed the MOT, but with three advisories. It's a 1998 900, 2.0T, done 116K. I do 4-5K per year and plan on keeping this on the road for ever (well, you know). I've had it 3 1/2 years now and I love it. Reckon I'll need to replace original clutch soon-ish, have done the DI and fuel pump. Everything else sweet. FSH.

Just considering how urgent  the following advisories are, so I can decide when to have fixed. Any advice very welcome.

1.Steering column top bearing slighly worn
2.Nearside front Suspension arm has slight play in ball joint
3.Offside front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt

Thanks in advance, Jim

[Saabman]

I'd just have them checked before your next MOT or mid way to see if there deteriorating 

[jimmym105]

Cheers Saabman...sounds very reasonable.

[Richard_C]

I have a Citroen Synergie about the same age and about 6k miles/year.  Advisories seem to come and go - mentioned one year, not mentioned the next.  I guess you make a safety judgement - is this part likely to fail suddenly and/or kill me/others?  If not, wait and see.  Yours look like wait and see ones.

With #2, perhaps keep an eye on tyre wear and if it looks uneven get it checked.  A new ball joint might be cheaper than new front tyres.

[Audax]

The ball joint is part of the lower arm, a cheap lower arm that will last a few year is about £90, a genuine Saab lower arm that will last something like 7 or 8 years is around £300 

I'd suggest for all of them to get them checked after 6000 miles, if that takes you to the next MOT then let the MOT tester check them for you, he may well find new stuff. I've known people get advisories done just before an MOT and then get upset when the car fails on something new and expensive.

[jimmym105]

Thanks you, chaps, much obliged. Think I'll keep an eye on the ball joint.

On reflection, don't reckon I'll do 5,000miles this year. Will post an update if there is one.
Jim