Suspension spring corroded or damaged
Last reviewed 22 October 2026. General information, not advice about a particular car.
Fix soon Will get worse and may fail the next MOT. Budget for it in the next few months.
Corroded springs can snap, often when hitting a pothole, which can puncture a tyre or leave the car sitting unevenly. A fractured spring is a fail.
What the wording on the certificate means
You’ll usually see something like “Coil spring corroded”, often with a position such as “nearside front” (the passenger side) and a reference to the MOT inspection manual in brackets.
A road spring in the suspension is rusting. Springs are under constant load, and rust is often where they eventually break.
Why it matters
A broken spring makes one corner of the car sit lower and can affect handling. On some cars a broken end can rub on or puncture the tyre.
What to do
- Look at the car on level ground: one corner sitting lower than the others is a sign of a broken spring.
- Listen for a sharp clunk or rattle from one corner, especially over bumps or when turning.
- Springs are replaced in pairs on the same axle.
Will it fail the next MOT?
An advisory isn’t a fail, and the car can be driven, as long as it stays roadworthy. A fractured or seriously weakened spring is a major fail.
If you’re buying a car with this advisory
Broken springs are common and often found at the MOT, so check the latest test for this advisory. If the same advisory shows up at test after test, it has probably been left unrepaired.
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