Call us

Limited Offer!Book today for Free Collection & Delivery

Limited Offer!

Book today for Free Collection & Delivery

Hassle-free rear shock absorber

Q: What does a rear shock absorber do?

Shock absorbers are responsible for your vehicle's smooth drive over bumpy or uneven roads and are an essential part of your suspension system. Your shock absorbers are gas-filled tubes that are compressed by a piston, dissipating kinetic energy to provide a comfortable ride for you and your passengers, regulating the rebounding of the car.

Q: How do I know if my shock absorbers need replacing?

The most common symptoms of faulty shock absorbers include knocking or bumping sounds in the suspension, the car dips over one wheel, you notice bumps in the road far easier than usual, your car bounces more, the car is less stable when cornering, or you may lose contact with the road over humps, bumps and bridges.You may also notice oil or fluid appearing under your wheels.

Q: How long does it take to replace shock absorbers?

The average shock absorber replacement takes between 1.5 and 4 hours. The time taken varies from car to car depending on how complicated they are to access. Other typical factors to affect the time taken are rusted bolts and ball joints that are difficult to separate.

Q: Can I drive with bad shock absorbers?

Driving with a broken shock absorber isn't just uncomfortable; it can seriously affect the performance of your car. Your car will bounce around unlike it ever did before, impacting stopping distances, control, road grip and more. If you must drive it, to get it to a garage for repair, for example, you should never drive at high speeds, avoid sudden turns and also stopping abruptly.

Q: Should I replace all 4 shock absorbers at the same time?

It's not always necessary, but shock absorbers should be replaced in pairs. Replacing a single shock absorber can create a difference in the way your car handles from one side to the other. In turn, that can cause problems controlling the vehicle, and endangering your safety. Your mechanic will advise you to the best outcome in your situation.Ideally, it would great to change all 4 shock absorbers at the same time but isn't always an economical option.

Q: What is the average life of a shock absorber?

The estimated lifespan of your shock absorbers runs to around 50k miles. We say 'estimated', as the typical type of driving your car undertakes can affect their wear considerably. A car that spends its life driving on bumpy back roads or country tracks will wear their shocks far faster than one that spends its life cruising super smooth motorway surfaces.

Q: What noise do bad shock absorbers make?

You could hear a variety of sounds from your damaged or broken shock absorbers. You may hear groaning or squeaking, or perhaps a knocking sound. Groaning sounds tend to come from problems with the steering and suspension connections, where knocking noises tend to be made by worn or cracked bushings.

Get an instant quote and save up to 30%

Backed by AXA™ Insurance

Simply book online and we'll handle the rest

Fair pricing

We negotiate competitive rates with garages to offer the best prices, on average 30% cheaper than main dealerships.

Vetted garages

We personally select and vet only the best local garages, fully covered by a 12-month warranty on parts and labour.

Collection from your door

Our fully insured Fixter Heroes offer a collection and delivery service, with flexible time slots that suit you.

Advisors on your side

Our in-house experts make sure any quotes you receive are relevant and fairly priced, so no nasty surprises!

How much does rear shock absorber cost?

A typical rear shock absorber cost in the UK ranges between £199 - £533. The average cost is usually around £366 including parts and labour. Depending on your model and where you live, the price can be higher or lower. See the exact price for your car.

Price estimates last updated 3 months ago

Car make and model	Average dealer price	Price estimate	Average savings
Honda Concerto	£368	£299 - £365	£36
Smart Roadster Coupe	£321	£254 - £310	£39
Mini Mini Hatch	£410	£286 - £349	£92
Peugeot 4007	£527	£382 - £467	£102
Peugeot iOn	£264	£199 - £244	£42
Seat Leon ST	£432	£321 - £392	£75
Citroen Jumper II	£491	£351 - £429	£101
Jaguar XF	£543	£436 - £533	£58
Skoda Octavia II	£364	£285 - £348	£47
Fiat Punto Evo	£288	£221 - £270	£42
Honda Concerto	£368	£299 - £365	£36
Smart Roadster Coupe	£321	£254 - £310	£39
Mini Mini Hatch	£410	£286 - £349	£92
Peugeot 4007	£527	£382 - £467	£102
Peugeot iOn	£264	£199 - £244	£42

Our expert insights into rear shock absorber

What are shock absorbers?

They are responsible for your vehicle’s smooth drive over bumpy or uneven roads and are an essential part of your suspension system.

Symptoms of a malfunctioning shock absorber

If your car is providing uncomfortable ride quality and is bouncing excessively, it could be that your shock absorbers aren’t operating correctly. Also, any puddles of oil-like fluid on the road around your wheels could be escaping from leaking shock absorbers.

View more symptoms View more symptoms

How much does it cost to change my rear shock absorber?

Save up to 30% on your rear shock absorber. See our table above to browse our honest, upfront prices.

What happens when we replace your shock absorbers?

Our fully qualified and efficient mechanics will replace your shock absorbers, and you’ll be advised of any other connected or associated problems arising from its malfunction.

Learn more

Daniel, from London

Hey Fixter, how often should shock absorbers need replacing?

Nav, Fixter in-house mechanic expert

Collection and delivery — anywhere