Will my suspension fail my MOT?

Monday 28th September 2026

Suspension faults can fail an MOT fail. An MOT tester will fail your car if a spring, shock absorber, arm, joint or bush is broken, loose, badly worn, badly corroded or leaking heavily. Light wear is listed as an advisory.

Our guide explains, which suspension faults can fail an MOT, which problems can pass and what to check before your MOT.

What suspension faults fail an MOT?

Around 9% of class 3 and 4 MOT tests in 2025-2026 recorded suspension as a failure according to the DVSA. These suspension faults include:

A broken, weakened, loose or missing spring
A shock absorber that leaks heavily, no longer damps or is loose
A suspension arm, strut or anti-roll bar that is loose cracked or heavily corroded
A joint or bush that is excessively worn
A missing joint dust cover, or one that is so worn it no longer keeps dust and dirt out
A leaking or inoperative air suspension system
Rust or damage to the vehicles body around a suspension mounting

Which suspension problems result in an advisory?

Some suspension problems will still pass your MOT test, but will result in advisory. We advise addressing any advisories as soon as possible as they can soon turn into more costly repairs.

A thin film of fluid on a shock absorber (slight seepage)
A missing bump stop rubber
Rubber bushes with some movement, unless the rubber is completely deteriorated
A worn dust cover that still keeps dirt out

What does an MOT tester check on your suspension?

The tester inspects the springs, shock absorbers, arms, joints and bushes visually. For the front suspension the tester uses wheel play detector, which move the wheels to reveal any play in the joints and bushes. Without detectors, the tester jacks the front wheels clear of the ground, levers each wheel with a bar and rocks it by hand while looking for movement.

The tester also jacks and lowers the vehicle to check that coil springs seat correctly. A spring that fails to locate when the suspension returns to its normal position fails as insecurely attached.

What are the warning signs my suspension might fail its MOT?

Suspension issues can be dangerous, so if you spot any of the following symptoms it’s important to get them checked before your MOT. Signs include:

Knocking or clunking sound, particularly when driving over bumps or potholes
A bouncy ride, or a car that keeps moving after a bump
Oil or fluid on the body of a shock absorber
The car leaning to one side or sitting lower in one corner
Uneven tyre wear
Steering issues, or a car that pulls while braking
Visible rust on the arms, springs or surrounding bodywork

Here at Formula One Autocentres, we offer a free suspension check for peace of mind.

What should I do if my suspension fails the MOT?

If the tester records a dangerous defect then the car should stay off the road until it’s been repaired. If the tester records a major defect then the next steps should be to book the repair and retest, here at Formula One Autocentres, we’ll explain the fix and complete the repair, so that the retest can follow without delay.

Booking a suspension check before your MOT allows or technicians to inspect springs, shock absorbers, arms, joints and bushes, and explain what needs attention. It gives you time to ensure any repairs are completed at a time that suits you and avoids the need for a retest.