Broken Coil Spring: Symptoms, MOT and Repair
Written by Petro Olekhnovych, mobile mechanic in Aylesham, Kent
What a coil spring does
Each corner of your car sits on a coil spring, usually wrapped around the shock absorber at the front and sometimes mounted separately at the rear. The spring holds the car up at the right height and soaks up bumps, while the shock absorber controls how the spring bounces. When a spring snaps, the car loses part of its support on that corner and the broken coils can move around and knock against each other.
Common broken coil spring symptoms
- A clunk or knock over bumps. Often worst over speed humps, potholes and dropped kerbs, or when turning the wheel on full lock.
- One corner sitting lower. Park on level ground and look from the front and back. A corner that sits lower than the others is a strong clue.
- Metallic scraping or creaking. The broken ends rubbing against each other or the spring seat.
- Uneven tyre wear or a mark on the inside of the tyre where the spring has touched it.
- Handling changes. The car may pull, lean more in corners or feel unsettled on uneven roads.
- Nothing at all. Many springs break just a small piece off the bottom coil and the driver never notices until the MOT.
A clunk over bumps can also come from drop links, anti-roll bar bushes, ball joints or top mounts, so it is worth having it checked rather than guessing. Our guide to a knocking noise over bumps covers the other suspects.
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Why coil springs break
Springs are under constant load and flex thousands of times on every journey. Over the years a few things weaken them:
- Corrosion. Road salt on the A2 and A256 and damp sea air in Deal, Dover and Folkestone attack the protective coating. Once rust pits the steel, a crack can start there.
- Potholes. A heavy hit can be the final blow for a spring that is already weak. See our page on pothole damage in Kent.
- Cold weather. Many springs seem to let go during cold spells, which is when a lot of drivers first hear the clunk.
- Age and mileage. Springs sag and tire over time like any part under load.
Is it safe to drive?
A broken spring is a safety problem, not just a noise. The car can handle unpredictably, especially when braking or swerving, and the broken end can cut into the tyre sidewall and cause a sudden deflation. Do not drive the car if:
- the broken end of the spring is touching or close to the tyre,
- the car is leaning badly or the tyre is rubbing on the arch,
- a warning light has come on or the steering feels wrong.
If the break is small and the car still sits close to normal height, drive slowly and only as far as you need to get it checked. Never try to change a coil spring yourself without proper spring compressors and support stands. A compressed spring stores a huge amount of energy and can cause serious injury if it slips.
Broken coil springs and the MOT
A fractured spring is an MOT fail, and testers check springs at every corner. They will also note if the spring is damaging other parts. It is one of the many suspension items on our list of common MOT failures, and it is easy to spot on a pre-MOT check with the wheels turned and a torch.
What the repair involves
On most cars the spring sits around the shock absorber, so the strut is removed, the spring is compressed safely, and the new spring fitted with new seats or top mount parts if they are worn. Both springs on the axle are normally replaced together so the car sits level. After a front strut has been removed, getting the wheel alignment checked is a good idea. Cost depends on the car, whether rusted fixings need extra time and whether you replace a pair, so we quote from your reg rather than guess.
How we can help
We can come to your home or workplace to inspect the springs, shocks, drop links and bushes, confirm what is causing the clunk and check the tyre for damage. We will then tell you honestly whether replacing the springs is a job we can do on your driveway or whether it needs a workshop, and give you a quote either way.
Send your reg and postcode on WhatsApp 07563 350335 or use our contact page. Labour is £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job.
Need a service or brakes doing?
Message us on WhatsApp with your reg and postcode, or use our contact form, for a price before any work starts.
WhatsApp for a free quote Call 07563 350335 Contact form
Labour £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job. Send your reg number and we will reply with a price before any work starts.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive with a broken coil spring?
It is not safe to carry on as normal. If the broken end could touch the tyre, or the car is sitting very low, do not drive it and arrange for it to be checked where it is.
Is a broken coil spring an MOT fail?
Yes. A fractured spring is an MOT failure, and testers will also look at whether it is affecting other parts such as the tyre or brake lines.
Should coil springs be replaced in pairs?
It is normally recommended to replace both springs on the same axle so the car sits level and handles evenly, as the old spring on the other side will have sagged with age.
What does a broken coil spring sound like?
Usually a clunk or knock from one corner over bumps, speed humps or when turning sharply, sometimes with a metallic scraping noise.
