MOT fail - Coil springs

[Deleted User]

Someone I know took car to Kwik Fit last week for MOT and they failed it on

Offside front Coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

And an advisory for the Nearside one saying it is corroded.

Surely you would know if the coil spring was knackered?


Yes I know Kwik Fit are dodgy and should be avoided but I didn't have any say in the matter

Nearly_Old

Deleted_User wrote: »

Surely you would know if the coil spring was knackered?

Not necessarily as it can depend on which spring, the actual vehicle, where the spring has broken, etc.

My wife has one of the original E85 BMW Z4s and broken rear springs are quite common - almost a passage of right! I didn't find out that the rear o/s spring was missing the bottom coil until it was having new rear tyres fitted in April. Sometimes the broken section sits inside the spring so you get a nice rattle but in her case the broken section had fallen out.

It looked as if the break was fairly old as it was well rusted but the handling hadn't been noticeably different. Also the ride height wasn't obviously different but there again she has the lowered sports model - very stiff springs. Unfortunately the sports springs are BMW special order but they do an overnight service and it took me less than an hour to fit it.

apesxx

Nope, my last car broke a spring and I didn't have a clue. It had broke the very bottom round off the coil and sat back down in its holder. It was when it went for service and mot that the mechanic found it. He said it had been like that for a long time too. I never noticed anything different.

DantheMan

Same thing happened with me, coil had snapped and the car ride height and handling was no different (I drive an 03 fiesta), only noticed when I brought it in a for a service and asked for new brake pads to be fitted at the same time.

Only real tell was a slight sqeauk that only happened going over vicious bumps, like speed bumps. Got it all sorted and car is grand now

forgotmyname

Depends where the spring snaps. If its the top coil then you may never notice.

I had one snap, I heard it as i locked the steering over. No change in the ride height at all. If it were not for the small piece still sitting in the middle you would not know it had snapped.

Its common on some modern cars. Cars have got heavier and speed bumps dont help.