Without a good suspension system, every car journey would feel like driving with flat tyres over a potholed lane – with an unresponsive steering wheel!
Designed to absorb shocks, maintain tyre traction, and support the weight of your car, your suspension is key when it comes to delivering a safe and smooth ride.
If your suspension is faulty, you can expect to pay anything between £1,000 and £5,000 to replace it. The price will vary depending on your car’s make and model, your location, and which components you need to replace.
It’s important to factor in these costs when deciding whether to repair or sell your car. Whilst it’s often better to repair or replace your suspension before you sell your car, this isn’t always feasible, especially when the garage bill would exceed your motor’s value.
Our guide contains ballpark replacement costs for key suspension parts - and full suspension replacement for popular car models for your reference.
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Signs it’s time for a suspension replacement
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Uneven tyre wear
If your wheels are misaligned, or components such as the shock absorbers or struts start to wear out, your car’s load won’t spread evenly. This means that your tyres can’t keep consistent contact with the road, causing the treads to wear down more on one side than the other.
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Excessive bouncing
When every bump in the road feels bouncy, it’s a giveaway that there’s something wrong with your suspension system. To avoid that trampoline tyre effect, ask your mechanic to do a bounce test to see if your shock absorbers or struts need replacing.
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Knocking or clunking noises
When you’re dealing with a suspension issue, you may hear knocking, clunking, or squeaking noises - particularly when you’re on a rough road, or driving around a corner. This is caused by various components, usually linkages, becoming loose or damaged.
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Poor steering response
If your car isn’t handling as well as it should, and you notice issues such as a delayed steering response, and drifting when cornering, this could be down to misaligned wheels, or damaged linkages, such as bars.
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Visible damage
You may be able to spot damage such as oil or fluid leaks near the shock absorbers, cracks or rust on suspension components, worn-out rubber bushings, or parts that sag - or appear misaligned.
If you notice any of these signs, take your car to a mechanic so they can check it over - and repair or replace any damaged components.
Suspension repair costs
In many cases, you’ll only need to repair some of your car’s suspension components, rather than replace the entire system, which considerably reduces the strain on your wallet!
However, prices can vary enormously. So, to avoid the shock of a high bill, read our breakdown of the various cost factors below:
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Car make and model
High-performance and luxury cars have complicated suspension systems and parts, making them more expensive to repair than smaller and simpler cars with more common and straightforward components.
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Type of suspension system
A standard suspension system with only coil springs is cheaper to repair than a more complex one that also uses struts. Many luxury and high-performance vehicles also have air suspension, which is even more expensive to repair due to its complexity.
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Quality and brand of replacement components
Whilst buying high-quality parts from recognised manufacturers will cost you more initially, this is usually the most economical option in the long run.
It’s often false economy to buy cheaper parts (whether new or reconditioned), as there’s a good chance they’ll need to be repaired or replaced sooner than premium alternatives.
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Labour and location
In addition to paying for replacement parts, you’ll also have to cover labour costs.
How much you’ll pay will depend on the complexity of the job; the longer it takes, the more you’ll pay.
The location of the garage also comes into play; hourly rates at garages in urban areas are typically higher than those in towns, villages, and rural locations. Here are a few examples to demonstrate this point:
- Typical costs for strut and shock absorber repairs in cities such as London, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh, Southampton, and Cardiff come in at around £500 to £1,000+.
- Meanwhile, in more rural areas such as Yorkshire, Cornwall, Derry, Newcastle, and Swansea, ballpark costs range from £300 to £900.
The make and model of your car will also influence how much you’ll pay. Here are some ballpark figures to replace main components for some of the most popular car models on UK roads:
Toyota Avensis:
- Struts: £300 to £700 a pair
- Shock absorbers: £200 to £500 a pair
- Coil springs: £150 to £300 a pair
Honda Civic:
- Struts: £400 to £800 a pair
- Shock absorbers: £200 to £500 a pair
- Coil springs: £200 to £400 a pair
Ford Focus:
- Struts: £350 to £700 a pair
- Shock absorbers: £150 to £300 a pair
- Coil springs: £150 to £300 a pair
BMW 3 Series:
- Struts: £600 to £1,200 a pair
- Shock absorbers: £400 to £900 a pair
- Coil springs: £300 to £600 a pair
Mercedes-Benz E-Class:
- Struts: £800 to £1,500 a pair
- Shock absorbers: £500 to £1,000 a pair
- Air suspension repair: £1,200 to £2,500 (one corner)
Suspension replacement costs
Replacing an entire suspension system is much more costly than repairing or replacing individual components. Time equals money, so you can expect a higher bill, thanks to the additional labour needed to replace all the affected components. Costs will be higher still if you have a high-performance or luxury car with a complex suspension system.
Once again, labour rates will also be a factor. There’s a good chance you’ll pay more at a garage located in a city, because the cost of living and running a business is much higher.
However, it’s important to note that most parts are readily available in urban areas. This may not be the case in smaller towns and rural areas. Having to order replacement parts can increase the cost and timeframe of the job.
Of course, suspension replacement costs can vary widely depending on your car’s make and model. Here are the average estimated costs for full suspension replacement for some of the UK’s most popular car models:
- Toyota Avensis: £1,000 to £1,800
- Honda Civic: £1,200 to £2,000
- Ford Focus: £1,000 to £1,700
- BMW 3 Series: £2,000 to £3,500
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class: £3,000 to £5,000
The type of suspension system will also be a factor in the overall cost of replacing your car suspension. For example, a MacPherson strut and torsion beam system is relatively simple to replace, uses cheaper parts - and the job is less labour intensive.
At the other end of the scale, air suspension and multi-link systems are complicated, require expensive parts, and particularly precise handling. All these factors contribute to substantially higher garage bills!
In addition, front suspension replacement is often more expensive than rear suspension replacement, because the parts are more complex.
As a rough guide, front suspension replacement costs for a Toyota Avensis range from £700 to £1,300 - or £650 to £1,200 for rear suspension replacement. Meanwhile, for a BMW 3 Series, front suspension replacement costs between £1,000 and £1,800 – or £900 and £1,600 for rear suspension replacement.
DIY vs. professional replacement
If you’re a DIY pro, there are several benefits to replacing your car suspension yourself:
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Cost saving
This is arguably the most attractive benefit. You won’t have to pay the garage for labour; your only outlay will be for the parts themselves.
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Convenience
You can choose when and where you work, rather than being tied to a mechanic’s timetable.
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Learning opportunity
If you have never replaced a suspension, this could provide a great opportunity to develop your skills.
However, it’s also important to consider the following potential drawbacks:
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Time consuming
You may have to clear a full day or more in your schedule, depending on the complexity of the job – and your experience level.
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Risk of mistakes
The more complex the work, the greater the risk you’ll make a mistake. A critical error could damage your car, putting you and other road users at risk.
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Not covered by insurance
Most insurance providers won’t cover DIY suspension replacement, which could leave you with a hefty repair bill if something goes wrong.
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Expensive equipment
Purchasing any extra tools and equipment to complete the task could work out very expensive.
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No warranty
If you pay to have your suspension system replaced at a garage, they should provide you with a warranty. This isn’t an option if you choose the DIY route.
Overall, we would advise against attempting DIY suspension replacement unless you have a good level of mechanical skills and a well-equipped garage.
It’s a complex job requiring specialist knowledge, experience, and tools. A professional mechanic will also be able to diagnose what’s wrong with your suspension, find any other issues that may be lurking - and provide you with a warranty for added peace of mind.
Choosing the right suspension components
When you’re choosing replacement parts for your suspension system, there are a few variables to consider:
Compatibility: If you opt for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, you can rest assured they’ll be a perfect fit, as these parts are made with specific models in mind. Aftermarket parts from reputable brands should fit just as well, just double-check that is compatible with your car model before buying!
Budget: OEM parts can be on the pricey side, but some consumers believe it’s worth paying for parts built by the manufacturer themselves.
We would advise against choosing the very cheapest parts, as they’re unlikely to last as long, or work as well as premium alternatives. When shopping for aftermarket parts, check out consumer reviews to find out which brands and products drivers trust.
Familiarity vs. customisation: If your car suits you exactly as it is, you may want to stick with OEM parts. However, some aftermarket parts allow you to customise your motor - and may even exceed the original specification in terms of performance.
Please note: If you plan to customise your car, check your warranty to ensure you’ll still be covered.
Tips for making your suspension last longer
- Keep up with servicing and maintenance. Make sure you take your car to be serviced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer.
- If you suspect your car has developed a suspension issue, don’t ignore the signs. Take it to a garage for inspection as soon as possible. This will give your mechanic a chance to spot any developing faults before they become more serious.
- Drive with care, especially when navigating bumpy roads – and avoid potholes where possible.
- Check your tyres regularly to ensure that their tread and pressure stay within the legal limits.
- Consider rotating your tyres periodically to ensure even wear – and minimise the strain on your suspension system.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it’s unsafe to drive with a faulty suspension system. It’s dangerous for you and other road users, as you won’t have full control of your car. What’s more, a failing suspension system could also lead to other parts of your car being damaged.
Your car’s suspension should be replaced every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. However, the exact figure will vary depending on factors such as how and where you drive – and how well you look after your car.
Many OEM suspension replacement parts come with warranties, as do some aftermarket alternatives (although aftermarket warranties are often shorter).
Replacing your suspension is usually worth the price. Without a fully functioning suspension system, you’ll compromise your safety and comfort. Also, if you’re wondering, “Should I sell my car?”, be aware that you may lose market value if you have a faulty suspension system.
Your suspension system may break due to rough roads, a car accident, general wear and tear, or poor maintenance.
The timeframe for a suspension replacement will vary depending on factors such as the car make and model, the type of suspension, and which replacement components are needed. For example, replacing shock absorbers may take up to four hours, while coil springs can take one to three hours.
Replacing a suspension system is a complicated job. Therefore, unless you’re an experienced mechanic, we recommend leaving the job to a reputable garage.
If you’re experiencing suspension system symptoms, but this is not the cause, it could be that your brake pads are worn out, your steering system has stopped working correctly, or there’s an issue with your wheel bearings.
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