Is this shock absorber an MOT failure?

[Jakg]

Just bought a new car - the MOT expires next month, but the seller assures me it'll fly through without needing anything but a new shock absorber on the front as he was told it was leaking at the last MOT.

There are no advisories on the last three or four MOTs so I don't know if this is the case.

My old cars shocks were leaking much worse than this and have been for years and it's never been picked up at the MOT?



There is also a "pinging" sound over bumps etc from the same corner which I assume is the shock - drives fine though.

I don't mind replacing it - but I don't have the time to do it right now.

I would take it to a garage and find out - but it's got no tax or insurance until my old car sells so it's not easy to get it down there.

(EDIT - Car is Renaultsport Megane)

[E-bmw]

Is the shock leaking?

Check.

Is a leaking shock an MOT fail?

Check.

Just because your previous car didn't fail on it doesn't mean it isn't a failure, just because your MOT tester passed it doesn't mean it is not a fail point.

Sorry.

[347Andy]

If the seller was so certain that it would fly through the MOT wouldn't he have done so as I am sure that it would have sold for more money with a 12 month ticket on it.

[paintman]

A slight weep will usually pass with an advisory but something more serious should fail.
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_270.htm
"3. A fluid leakage serious enough to indicate that the fluid seal of a shock
absorber has failed."

Defective shock absorber(s) will also adversely affect the handling & braking efficiency of the car so not a good idea to continue driving a car with an obvious issue that you are aware of.

Edited by paintman on Monday 8th August 00:11

[227bhp]

Jakg said:

My old cars shocks were leaking much worse than this and have been for years and it's never been picked up at the MOT?

Quite worrying you knowingly drive a dangerous car around for so long and repeatedly use the same crap MOT station every time.

[t400ble]

Fail all day long

[ash reynolds]

As an indicator of life cycle all four would have been history by now if that car were mine.
Your MOT station/tester is doing you no favours.

[Security Agent]

So would this partially deteriorated shock class as a fail?

[stevieturbo]

I'd fail it for you not having the car cleaned first.

But it doesn't look like the sock is leaking, the cover wouldn't really be essential. Although given possible usage ( ie. the dirt ) it would probably be a good idea to change it

[rustednut]

Looks like it might have failed for the steering idler arm.

But the shock absorber dust cover is not a fail in itself, but I certainly wouldn't be happy with it