Used Car - Coil Spring broken in past

Tim11111000111

I'm looking at buying a used car (2013 registered). I've checked its MOT history and it failed in May 2018 due to "Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)". It then shows a Pass in May 2018 (presumably having had the coil spring fixed) and a pass in May 2019. No other fails (and one advisory for a nail in the tyre, which I assume was easily fixed).

Should I be worried about this? Given that the break was only detected in the MOT I'm wondering if the car was driven for an unknown period on this broken coil, and whether that could have caused fatigue to other components?

Sorry if I'm overthinking - first time buyer!

Ebe_Scrooge

I wouldn't be too worried. Coil springs go, it's a fact of life, it's an "expected" wear & tear item that's not expensive to fix. Depending on where it snapped, it's possible the owner didn't even notice - if it was very near the top, for instance, and the car wasn't being ragged by a boy-racer, it's entirely possible that an "average" sedate driver may not even notice it. It's highly unlikely to have caused secondary damage to other components in and of itself.

General_Applause

I have had quite a few broken coil springs over the years but only once have I heard the loud bang / twang as it breaks.

nickcc

Speed bumps are the usual culprit plus driving too fast over them. On a 2013 car I would hope that both springs had been changed at the same time.

datostar

I've just had a rear coil spring replaced on a Mk3 Megane, discovered on a pre-MOT check. It had broken near the top and was only visible on close inspection as the broken ends had not separated. Certainly not noticeable when driving. They are 'expendable' items and easily replaced. I wouldn't worry about a car that's had spring(s) replaced.

natlol

I kept my last car for 16 years or so and in that time it had two sets of front springs. Both times one of the pair snapped on my driveway without being driven. Had it have happened whilst driving i’d have had a problem as on both occasions the bottom ring snapped off and the sharp coil above dropped onto the tyre. On both occasions the fractured spring caught the brake line but only enough to scratch the paint off. I replaced them both times on the drive without any issue and the car lasted a good while. On some cars there are cups on the dampers to stop the spring landing on the tyre I am told but mine didn’t have them. I suppose what I am saying is I wouldn’t have any concern.

GunJack

General_Applause wrote: »

I have had quite a few broken coil springs over the years but only once have I heard the loud bang / twang as it breaks.

Yeah, mine did ths just as I started to pull off the drive. Too many potholes and speedbumps these days, plus my local mechanic recons they make the springs out of cheese

EmmyLou30

I had a broken coil picked up on a service and MOT, had no idea the bottom of it had fallen off and never heard it go and no idea how long it had been like that. It was very obvious it had a piece missing when I stuck my head under the car and looked when the garage guy showed me! So I now check under the car a bit more often ;-) But got the pair replaced, no damage and certainly wouldn't stop me buying a car that had had them replaced. As others have said the roads are so bad they're almost a consumable item like tyres these days.