£1k for new shock absorbers? 31 January at 8:10PM in Motoring 18 replies 1.1K views

KirstenNeilson

Hello
I have a 13 year old Ford Ka.  50k miles on clock.  It passed MOT fine but on the servicing, they recommend new shock absorbers for £1k. 
What do you think?
Thanks

Ganga

take it some place else for a better quote ,or get prices from the likes of Eurocar parts and get a friend o fit them if you are not able.

Nobbie1967

Do you trust the garage? At £1k, I’d say they are trying it on. You can buy 4 OE shocks for under £200 and they don’t take long to fit. Clearly the old ones aren’t leaking or misting as it passed the MOT. Personally I’d ignore the recommendation.

Martin_the_Unjust

Just out of interest what garage told you that you needed new shocks? 

Might it have been a well known national chain?

Bigwheels1111

Who was it, Kwikfit, National Tyres or Halfords. Come on spill the beans.
If it’s just passed a mot shocks are not needed.
Get hold of your wallet and credit card and run for the hills.
Warning will Robinson warning.

jimjames

KirstenNeilson said:

Hello
I have a 13 year old Ford Ka.  50k miles on clock.  It passed MOT fine but on the servicing, they recommend new shock absorbers for £1k. 
What do you think?
Thanks

I think that's a ridiculous price. I thought £250 for a shock for a VW Scirocco was steep until I realised they were electronic, Ford Ka don't have anything like that. Part will be around £70 per corner but it's highly unlikely all 4 will need changing at the same time.

KirstenNeilson

Interesting.  Thanks guys.  I'm now thinking did I really need to fork out for a new battery as well...?

The weird thing is that they didn't seem at all keen to do the work straightaway.  They seem completely overworked and overbooked. So I've had to book it in for a month's time. 

Yes it is a chain.  But none of the ones mentioned.  

GrumpyDil

KirstenNeilson said:

Interesting.  Thanks guys.  I'm now thinking did I really need to fork out for a new battery as well...?

The weird thing is that they didn't seem at all keen to do the work straightaway.  They seem completely overworked and overbooked. So I've had to book it in for a month's time. 

Yes it is a chain.  But none of the ones mentioned.  

Definately get a second opinion (and go on, which chain was it then?) 

Goudy

Your version of the KA is based on the Fiat Panda/500 and they do tend to have trouble with the mounting "eye" bushes on the rear shocks wearing, particularly the top bushes, but saying that, £1000 for a set of four fitted it is very very steep.

You can usually view the rear top shock bushes just above the wheels/tyres at the back.
If you open the boot and get someone to bounce the car while you look at the bushes, you may or may not notice untoward movement between the metal loop and the bush/bolt in the middle.
The eye, bush and bolt should move as one, if the bush/bolt flops about in the eye you have a issue.

When they are bad enough they will double knock over bumps in the road, like something is banging about in the boot.

I would imagine, knowing the age of the vehicle and being familiar with the parts used, the shocks are likely be looking a bit rusty and crusty which is why they have warned you they might need replacing.

I don't think you've wasted money on a new battery either.
Small cars usually mean short trips and this can degrade the battery pretty quickly, plus the power steering is electric and very power hungry, this makes them very susceptible to anything other than a really healthy battery.
Once they start going they throw all sorts of electrical problems though the first sign is the mileage readout on the dash starts flashing.

KirstenNeilson

Thanks guys, this has all been really helpful. 
I've approached an independent mechanic recommended locally.  He says he'll take a look and if it does need redone he will do it for a bit cheaper. 

Flight3287462

KirstenNeilson said:

Thanks guys, this has all been really helpful. 
I've approached an independent mechanic recommended locally.  He says he'll take a look and if it does need redone he will do it for a bit cheaper. 

Oops you have obviously told him the quote you were given, pity you didn't ask him to check it out and quote without knowing the original quote.