APK defects by part

Steering at the APK

In Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 the APK inspector recorded a steering defect 145,150 times, across 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars. On 101 model generations it occurs clearly more often than average.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Play or leaks in the steering rack, tie rods or power steering.

Repair indication: largea substantial repair; have a garage look first.

How to check it at the viewing

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

Ask the seller: Has any work been done on the steering rack or tie rod ends?

Models where this is clearly more common

Sorted by how many extra cars have this defect. Per model the age with the largest difference; only when the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval is above the national share and the difference is at least 3 in 1,000 cars.

#	Model	Age	This model	National	Difference
1	Volkswagen Polo VI2017–2026	7–8 yrs	20.5%	1.2%	17.6×
2	Opel Corsa E2015–2019	7–8 yrs	18.9%	1.2%	16.2×
3	SEAT Arona2017–2026	7–8 yrs	17.5%	1.2%	15.0×
4	SEAT Ibiza V2017–2026	7–8 yrs	17.2%	1.2%	14.7×
5	Fiat Grande Punto / Punto Evo / Punto2005–2021	7–8 yrs	16.8%	1.2%	14.4×
6	Opel Adam2012–2019	7–8 yrs	16.0%	1.2%	13.7×
7	Opel Corsa D2006–2014	9–10 yrs	13.2%	0.8%	16.0×
8	Audi A1 (GB)2018–2026	7–8 yrs	13.1%	1.2%	11.2×
9	Škoda Scala2019–2026	5–6 yrs	12.5%	0.6%	19.3×
10	Kia Venga2009–2019	16+ yrs	13.1%	1.6%	8.1×
11	Nissan Qashqai I2007–2015	16+ yrs	11.9%	1.6%	7.4×
12	Fiat 500L2012–2021	9–10 yrs	10.4%	0.8%	12.6×
13	Jeep Renegade2014–2026	9–10 yrs	10.1%	0.8%	12.2×
14	Kia cee'd II2012–2019	13–15 yrs	10.0%	1.2%	8.3×
15	Fiat 500X2014–2024	7–8 yrs	9.9%	1.2%	8.5×
16	Mitsubishi Outlander III2013–2021	9–10 yrs	9.4%	0.8%	11.4×
17	Alfa Romeo MiTo2008–2019	7–8 yrs	9.7%	1.2%	8.3×
18	Hyundai i30 II2012–2018	13–15 yrs	9.4%	1.2%	7.8×
19	Mitsubishi ASX I2010–2021	13–15 yrs	9.2%	1.2%	8.0×
20	Dacia Logan2006–2022	13–15 yrs	8.8%	1.1%	7.7×
21	Mazda CX-5 I2012–2017	13–15 yrs	8.7%	1.2%	7.2×
22	Hyundai ix202010–2020	13–15 yrs	8.6%	1.2%	7.1×
23	Dacia Sandero I2008–2012	16+ yrs	9.0%	2.0%	4.4×
24	Mitsubishi Colt VI2005–2014	13–15 yrs	7.9%	1.1%	6.9×
25	Mitsubishi Outlander II2008–2012	13–15 yrs	7.8%	1.2%	6.4×
26	Volkswagen T-Cross2018–2026	5–6 yrs	7.0%	0.6%	10.9×
27	Citroën DS32010–2024	16+ yrs	7.7%	1.6%	4.7×
28	Volkswagen Fox2005–2013	13–15 yrs	6.8%	1.2%	5.9×
29	Citroën C3 Picasso2009–2012	13–15 yrs	6.8%	1.2%	5.6×
30	SEAT Ibiza IV2008–2018	13–15 yrs	6.7%	1.1%	5.9×
31	Nissan Juke I2010–2019	13–15 yrs	6.7%	1.2%	5.5×
32	Škoda Kamiq2019–2026	5–6 yrs	6.1%	0.6%	9.5×
33	Mercedes-Benz Sprinter2006–2026	7–8 yrs	5.4%	0.2%	21.9×
34	Volkswagen Polo V2009–2018	16+ yrs	6.8%	2.0%	3.4×
35	Renault Clio III2005–2012	16+ yrs	6.1%	1.6%	3.8×
36	Citroën C3 II2009–2016	13–15 yrs	5.7%	1.2%	4.7×
37	Hyundai ix352010–2016	11–12 yrs	5.5%	1.0%	5.3×
38	Renault Twingo II2007–2014	13–15 yrs	5.6%	1.2%	4.7×
39	Tesla Model S2013–2022	7–8 yrs	4.6%	0.2%	18.7×
40	Volvo XC90 II2015–2026	9–10 yrs	4.6%	0.4%	12.6×
41	Audi A1 (8X)2010–2019	13–15 yrs	5.1%	1.1%	4.5×
42	Opel Mokka (A) / Mokka X2012–2019	13–15 yrs	5.0%	1.1%	4.4×
43	Kia Sportage III2010–2016	11–12 yrs	4.9%	1.1%	4.6×
44	Kia Picanto I2005–2012	16+ yrs	5.8%	2.0%	2.9×
45	Volkswagen Golf V2005–2008	16+ yrs	5.8%	2.1%	2.8×
46	Land Rover Range Rover Velar2017–2026	7–8 yrs	3.9%	0.2%	16.0×
47	Peugeot 3008 I2009–2017	16+ yrs	5.2%	1.6%	3.2×
48	Hyundai i10 I2008–2014	11–12 yrs	4.4%	1.0%	4.2×
49	Honda Insight II2009–2015	13–15 yrs	4.4%	1.1%	3.9×
50	Nissan Qashqai II2014–2022	11–12 yrs	4.2%	1.1%	4.0×
51	Dacia Duster II2018–2024	7–8 yrs	3.0%	0.2%	12.2×
52	Renault Mégane III2008–2016	13–15 yrs	3.8%	1.2%	3.2×
53	Volkswagen Polo IV2005–2010	16+ yrs	4.4%	2.0%	2.2×
54	SEAT Altea2005–2016	16+ yrs	4.4%	2.0%	2.2×
55	SEAT Leon II2005–2014	16+ yrs	4.4%	2.0%	2.2×
56	Peugeot 2072006–2016	13–15 yrs	3.5%	1.2%	2.9×
57	Volvo V60 I / S60 II2010–2019	13–15 yrs	3.4%	1.1%	3.0×
58	Hyundai i10 III2020–2026	5–6 yrs	2.8%	0.6%	4.4×
59	Tesla Model X2016–2022	9–10 yrs	2.5%	0.4%	6.9×
60	Volkswagen Golf Plus2005–2014	16+ yrs	4.1%	2.1%	2.0×
61	Citroën C4 Picasso II / SpaceTourer2013–2022	11–12 yrs	2.8%	0.8%	3.6×
62	Volkswagen Golf V Variant2005–2008	16+ yrs	4.0%	2.0%	2.0×
63	Suzuki Ignis III2016–2025	9–10 yrs	2.8%	0.8%	3.4×
64	Renault Kadjar2015–2023	9–10 yrs	2.8%	0.8%	3.4×
65	Nissan X-Trail III2014–2022	9–10 yrs	2.8%	0.8%	3.4×
66	Peugeot 2008 I2013–2021	13–15 yrs	3.1%	1.1%	2.7×
67	Volvo V70 III / XC70 II2007–2017	13–15 yrs	3.1%	1.1%	2.7×
68	Volvo V90 / S90 II2016–2026	9–10 yrs	2.3%	0.4%	6.3×
69	Ford Mondeo IV2007–2014	11–12 yrs	2.9%	1.0%	2.8×
70	Volvo V60 I Plug-in Hybrid2012–2018	11–12 yrs	2.9%	1.0%	2.8×
71	Renault Scénic III2009–2016	13–15 yrs	3.1%	1.2%	2.5×
72	Ford C-MAX I2005–2020	13–15 yrs	2.9%	1.2%	2.5×
73	Peugeot 308 II2013–2022	11–12 yrs	2.4%	0.7%	3.2×
74	Volkswagen Touran I2005–2015	16+ yrs	3.7%	2.1%	1.8×
75	Mazda Mazda2 (DE)2007–2015	16+ yrs	3.2%	1.6%	2.0×
76	Dacia Sandero II2013–2022	13–15 yrs	2.7%	1.2%	2.2×
77	Dacia Duster I2010–2022	13–15 yrs	2.7%	1.2%	2.2×
78	Hyundai i30 I2009–2014	16+ yrs	3.1%	1.6%	1.9×
79	Opel Meriva A2005–2011	16+ yrs	3.1%	1.6%	1.9×
80	Renault Zoe2013–2025	11–12 yrs	2.2%	0.7%	3.0×
81	Mazda Mazda6 (GJ/GL)2013–2025	11–12 yrs	2.2%	0.8%	2.9×
82	Suzuki Swift III2005–2012	16+ yrs	3.4%	2.0%	1.7×
83	Peugeot 308 I2007–2013	16+ yrs	2.9%	1.6%	1.8×
84	Peugeot 206+2009–2011	13–15 yrs	2.5%	1.3%	2.0×
85	MG ZS EV2019–2025	5–6 yrs	1.2%	0.1%	10.1×
86	Kia Rio III2011–2017	11–12 yrs	2.0%	1.1%	1.9×
87	Nissan Qashqai III2021–2026	3–4 yrs	0.9%	0.1%	17.8×
88	Renault Mégane IV2016–2025	3–4 yrs	0.9%	0.1%	17.5×
89	Kia Sportage IV2015–2022	7–8 yrs	2.0%	1.2%	1.7×
90	Peugeot 508 II2018–2026	5–6 yrs	0.9%	0.1%	7.4×
91	Chevrolet Aveo II2011–2019	13–15 yrs	2.0%	1.3%	1.6×
92	Dacia Spring2021–2026	3–4 yrs	0.8%	0.1%	13.9×
93	Hyundai Tucson III2015–2021	9–10 yrs	1.5%	0.8%	1.8×
94	Renault Twingo III2014–2024	7–8 yrs	0.9%	0.2%	3.7×
95	Volvo XC60 I2008–2018	11–12 yrs	1.7%	1.1%	1.6×
96	Hyundai i10 II2013–2021	7–8 yrs	1.7%	1.1%	1.5×
97	Mazda Mazda3 (BL)2009–2013	13–15 yrs	1.7%	1.1%	1.5×
98	Opel Karl2015–2019	5–6 yrs	0.6%	0.1%	4.9×
99	BMW 3-serie G202019–2026	3–4 yrs	0.5%	0.1%	8.1×
100	Peugeot 5008 II2017–2025	5–6 yrs	0.5%	0.1%	4.3×
101	Renault Clio V2019–2026	5–6 yrs	0.5%	0.1%	3.8×

The most common defects in this group

Defect (RDW description, Dutch)	Type	Share of cars	Cars
Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af	B	1.2%	79,467
Stuurkogel te veel speling	A	0.7%	51,104
Stofhoes stuurinrichting ondeugdelijk bevestigd	B	0.1%	5,390
Onderdeel stuurbekrachtiger ernstige lekkage	A	0.0%	1,415
Onderdeel stuurinrichting niet geborgd	A	0.0%	1,318
Verbinding stangenstelsel stuurinrichting te veel speling	A	0.0%	1,075
Band of wiel loopt aan in uiterste stuurstand	A	0.0%	932
Stuurbekrachtiger functioneert niet (goed)	A	0.0%	841
Onderdeel stuurinrichting ondeugdelijk bevestigd	A	0.0%	809
Bestuurderszitplaats of -rugleuning ondeugdelijk bevestigd	A	0.0%	507
Weerstand bij draaiing stuurwiel voelbaar	A	0.0%	423
Stuurkogel(huis) door corrosie aangetast	A	0.0%	398

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Frequently asked questions

Which used cars often have steering problems?

At the APK this occurs most clearly above average on the Volkswagen Polo VI, Opel Corsa E, SEAT Arona. Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know