The shock absorbers are designed to help prevent your car from bouncing excessively along uneven roads. They are a key part of the suspension and protect it by making sure that the springs don’t compress or rebound too quickly. The springs ensure the wheels are kept on the road and that they don’t lose grip when hitting a bump, whereas the shock absorbers dampen the spring’s movement making the ride feel softer and smoother, helping the car to become stable faster.
If any part of your suspension is broken (e.g. shock absorbers or springs), you cannot drive your vehicle without causing long term damage and reducing the overall safety of your car significantly.
The average life expectancy of shock absorbers is 4 - 5 years, however the road conditions will affect this. If generally you drive on smooth roads, this could extend your shock absorbers life by as much as 5 years, whereas if you are driving primarily on rough roads this can seriously decrease their lifespan.
You should get your shock absorbers checked annually and regularly clean your car hubs to ensure no dirt or mud is making its way into your shock absorbers.
Depending on what the problem is with your shock absorbers, they could be repaired instead of replaced; this should only be considered if they have done less than 35,000 miles. Repairing will usually be your cheaper option however this will depend on what the issue is as fixing shock absorbers can be very time consuming and may come out at a similar cost to replacing them. Fixing worn shock absorbers also does not provide a lasting solution, so you will likely still have to replace your shock absorbers at some point. It is helpful to get your shock absorbers checked by a specialist to get an understanding on where you stand with replacing or repairing. Our network of garages can help you find a qualified mechanic in your area.
You should book a shock absorber replacement or check-up if you notice any of the following:
If you do notice any of the above, then we recommend booking in with your qualified local mechanic through our site so you can compare prices and find your nearest garage in seconds.
The cost of new shock absorbers ranges from £150 to £600 depending on whether the front or rear absorber needs to be replaced. Often it may be recommended that you get your shock absorbers repaired in pairs, however keep in mind that this may add to the cost. If you are having your shock absorbers repaired, this price will vary depending on what problem is diagnosed. To get a better idea of what the overall cost will be with labour charge, enter your car details on our site and we can compare pricing in your local area.