mechanics.trade
Suspension and shock absorbers
The suspension keeps the tyres in contact with the road and the car level over bumps.
What suspension repair means
Springs carry the weight, shock absorbers damp the bouncing, and a set of joints and bushes lets the wheels move while staying pointed the right way. British roads are hard on all of it.
What the job covers
- Shock absorber and strut replacement
- Coil spring replacement
- Wishbone and bush replacement
- Anti-roll bar links
- Air suspension diagnosis and repair
When you might need it
- The car carries on bouncing after a bump, or dips sharply at the front when you brake.
- A knock or clonk over potholes and speed bumps.
- One corner of the car sits lower than the others, or the tyres are wearing unevenly.
What it costs, and what changes the price
Typically £150 to £500.
- Shock absorbers are usually replaced in pairs across an axle so the car stays balanced.
- Springs and dampers on the same corner are often done together, which saves labour against doing them separately.
- Air suspension, fitted to some larger cars, costs considerably more than a conventional spring.
How long it takes
A pair of shock absorbers takes two to three hours. A single coil spring is usually an hour or two.
What the MOT data shows
Out of 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025, these are the parts covered by this job that testers recorded as faults.
| Part | Recorded in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Coil spring | 904,799 |
| Ball joint | 731,444 |
| Pins and bushes | 714,362 |
| Shock absorbers | 460,225 |
Common questions
How do I know if a spring has broken?
Often you will hear it before you see it, as a clunk on full lock or over bumps. A garage sees it straight away once the car is lifted, which is why it is one of the most common things found at an MOT.
Do shock absorbers have to be replaced in pairs?
There is no law saying so, but a new damper on one side and a worn one on the other makes the car behave differently left to right under braking. Most garages will advise doing both.
Why are my tyres wearing on one edge?
Usually the alignment, sometimes a worn suspension joint letting the wheel sit at an angle. Either way it is worth looking at before the tyre is scrapped.