failed MOT front spring

[markmac21]

Nothing uncommon in that front offside spring incomplete , so the mot man says he will fit me a new one , ONE , i said what about the other side , he said its ok you only need the one , i thought they had to be fitted in pairs but this man says they dont ??

[John LE]

It's good practice to fit them in pairs as the other one may be weak or of a slightly different height.

I've replaced single springs and have never had problems. Just make sure it's the correct one for the car

[markmac21]

i think i will let them do it and just fit the one to see what happens , the guy is very experienced he has owned this garage for over 25 years so i am gonna trust him to put it right for me

[Ben50n]

I would recommend fitting in pairs. The other spring will be older and worn as they soften with age.

Unless of course it is a brand new car, additionally the Vauxhall springs tend to snap on a regular basis, so if one has gone, you can bet the other will go soon?

[Big Knox]

I think as well springs settle over time and different springs made at different times might settle at slightly different heights. Depends how long you're going to keep the car and how you drive it I would say. Nothing wrong with just replacing one especially if you wanna save some £££.

[Critch]

It's just good practise mate.

Nothing wrong with changing just 1 and theirs no saying you'll get any longer/ less out changing the other side or not.

Mine failed mot last year on broken n/s front spring

I changed that on its own.
25k the other side is still doing ok.

As above just make Sure it's correct one for your car

[Critch]

Double post

[lee gsi]

As said its good practice as it will alter the way the car responds.

Top gear did a test ages ago where one spring had been replaced and under emergency braking conditions (Ie braking hard) the car dived to one side as the older spring compressed quicker as it was 'old'

[FLOB]

I would do the pair as its safer.

Also I would never go to an MOT centre that does servicing/repairs as they are often very keen to pick up work. In my experience they always find something and the cheaper they are on the MOT price, the more likely you are to 'need a few bits doing' lol

I believe it's called a loss leader ;-)

[lee gsi]

Not quite true lol.

They may spot stuff that needs doing or advise on stuff but if you dont want it done you dont get it done.


My place has 2 garages about a mile apart. One is servicing, Tyres and MOT etc and where I am we do the bigger stuff.

I would rather be advised about stuff that will need doing even if it isn't anything to do with the MOT or if it will be an early warning of something failing and damaging other parts.


Today was one of those occasions, A car passed an MOT but was advised that the brakes were quite warn and going to need to have the pads replacing in the next 2 or 3 months (The customer had done 12k between MOTS). Told the customer and they said go ahead and do them so they don't have to loose the car again for them to be done and also so they didn't wear them down till the disc's were damaged and would then need to be replaced at additional cost.