I had exactly the same on my Landrover, brand new propshaft gaiters, perished within a year and not a single mile travelled. I've had problems with rubber fuel pipes splitting after a very short time too.
I really can't understand why the steering lock is now part of the MOT. These days most modern cars would have to be stolen using the keys, so what difference would it make if the steering lock was broken or removed ? The only thing i can think of is, if it was broken in such a way that it could jam the steering whilst being driven !
As an MOT tester i use a bit of common sense with all these new regs
The main reason things like the steering lock etc. have come is in many odern cars (mainly BMW) use an electronic steering lock, when these fail (regularly) they bring a light on on the dashboard indicating so, before the changes this was just a case of passing it, since its an electronic system its nowhere near as reliable as the old mechanical systems and could theoretically be activated during normal driving hence the failure nowadays.
In all honesty i probably shouldnt say this but I will anyways, i;m not going to check on a 10 year old car thats probably never had the steering lock enguaged, its hard enough getting half of em off on older vehicles if you accidently knock it on without getting a car stuck on the ramp...
Balljoint dust covers etc. IMO have to be fairly knackered before I fail em, I See the point to an extent but again common sense is required, how many of us split these boots ever so slightly releasing balljoints etc. i know i do.
A lot of regs can be got around with the specialist modification proviso too
i.e. if its broken and you do it your own way and do it well its a specialist modification :lol: