Failed first MOT

[CharliePapaSierra]

My 72 plate MG5 (pre-facelift) just failed its first MOT on both rear coil springs broken.

I know exactly where it happened too - on the road between Longhorsley and the A1 in Northumberland (tried to include a link, but links don't seem to work here). The road bottoms out really sharply there, and I was doing about 50 as we hit the dip - cue load BANG from the rear. I feared for the springs, but hoped I'd just hit a rock or something. Well... now I know the truth of it!

 

[MG Clive]

Well at least you know the MOT tester is doing their job properly, what's the cost of replacing rear coil springs on an MG5 @CharliePapaSierra ?

 

[CharliePapaSierra]

£468 inc VAT :-|

What's the betting the springs are VW? Half the car seems to be VW parts!

 

[Alb]

Keep an eye on the shock absorbers too as they often leak after the event.
When did this happen for you?

 

[Lovemyev]

Fractured road springs on many models have become more common now, much more common now that they did before, for some reason ?.
I see bits of road springs at the side of road, normally at the site of speed bump.

 

[CharliePapaSierra]

When did this happen for you?

June. I'd assumed the springs were OK as there was no discernible change in the feel of the car, and when I got on my knees and had a look after it originally happened, I couldn't see any problem.

Having said that, I'm no car expert by any means.

 

[Lovemyev]

The spring can fail anywhere really, but commonly they will break at the very bottom which can be down inside a cup on the rear arm / axle, this makes seeing it possible with the use of a mirror.
Road springs can be heavy and therefore add weight to car, today they make them lighter but of course this makes them weaker.

 

[Joningy]

£468 inc VAT :-|

What's the betting the springs are VW? Half the car seems to be VW parts!

I'm surprised you didn't get a grinding sound or rattle from the broken springs as you drove after the event. @CharliePapaSierra

 

[Anon70]

Yup had a rear and front spring break on my Mini Clubman during my 5 years of ownership. State of the roads doesn't help and also an increase in the number of speed bumps

 

[Exdro]

I’ve had both rear springs break at separate times on my MGZSEV TROPHY CONNECT. Both replaced under warranty. It is a known fault with a batch of springs in 72 plate cars. If they refuse. Ask for the old springs back and have them tested for porosity. Make sure that it is your springs you get back. It should be a warrant claim.

 

[Les burrows]

My 72 plate MG5 (pre-facelift) just failed its first MOT on both rear coil springs broken.

I know exactly where it happened too - on the road between Longhorsley and the A1 in Northumberland (tried to include a link, but links don't seem to work here). The road bottoms out really sharply there, and I was doing about 50 as we hit the dip - cue load BANG from the rear. I feared for the springs, but hoped I'd just hit a rock or something. Well... now I know the truth of it!

Best bet to avoid this happening is to slow down a bit on uneven roads especially as you seem to know the road and it’s dips and bumps well anyway just reduce you speed yeh. I hope it doesn’t cost you to much to put right but I’m sure the cost will remind you to slow down a bit.
Les

 

[Exdro]

Sound advice. However, if you drive anywhere on the roads in Kent, potholes appear like measles spots and in wet weather, are not always apparent. Springs should not fail on cars of this age. My suggestion as before is to examine the failed springs for metal fatigue and ask for them to be replaced under warranty.