What does "play in steering rack" mean on an MOT?

"Play" in steering means how much the steering wheel can move before the front wheels actually start to turn in response. Every car has a small, normal amount of give built in, but excessive play means a part in the steering has worn, commonly a worn track rod end or wear in the steering rack itself.

Testers check this by gently rocking the steering wheel back and forth by hand and watching how much it moves before the wheels respond. More than a small, expected amount of give points to a fault rather than normal wear.

What it means for a driver: excessive play makes the steering feel vague or a bit delayed, and it's worth taking seriously, since it affects how precisely you can control the car - not something to leave until the next MOT if it's been flagged.

Source: gov.uk: MOT inspection manual, steering