mechanics.tradeShock absorbers
Testers wrote shock absorbers down 460,225 times during 2025, 22nd on a list of 265 kinds of defect.
460,225recorded in 2025
1.5%of all recorded defects
22ndon the national list
What it is
Shock absorbers damp the springs so the tyre stays pressed to the road. The tester looks for fluid leaking down the body of the unit and for a wheel that carries on bouncing.
What the tester can write down
| Wording on the certificate | Category | Recorded in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | Major | 338,093 |
What you can do about it
They fade slowly, so the car can feel normal to someone who drives it every day and still fail. They are replaced in pairs across an axle to keep the car balanced.
Advisories
Testers also noted this 1,603,111 times in 2025 as an advisory, without failing the car for it. That is worth acting on before the next test comes round.
Nearby on the list
Every defect on the list, from 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025.