excessive play in steering.

can anyone help,my rivage is going for mot, but when not moving anywhere there is about 2 inches of play each way on the steering wheel ? is this the rack gone or knuckle ? thing is they dont tell you what it is just excessive play- i know im a numb skull but any ideas before i go getting rack etc

Rack is adjustable see Haynes manual ! But 2" is a lot , you sure the steering rack mounts are firmly fixed ? They can depart from the body .

cheers iv just had a look- the wheels do not move.its not  2 inches bit over 1, its seems like the universal joint at the end of the steering column,its in there, is that a knuckle joint ?,phoned vw who seem to be discontinuing everything now,ah well il wait for result of mot see what they say,il try euro parts unless you know other people, cheers