I went to a local garage last week, among other things for some front end rattles I've been hearing; they said it is the sway bar that needs bushings, he said it doesn't undermine mechanical performance and there is a cheap fix.

Yeah, the bushing tend to wear out over time and miles and the diameter of the hole gets better then the sway bar and so when you hit a bump the bar gets forced up and hits the bushing because it's not a tight fit anymore.

Having play in the bushing does have an effect on handing of the car, but it effects the car more in a racing world then a daily driver world. They will just causing a clunking in the front end when you hit a bump.

OK, thanks for the insider info.