MOT fail - Coil spring fractured or broken Offside Front

[WillesdenBoy]

Hi everybody,

Earlier, my wife's 2006 Audi A3 failed it's MOT with the following major defect:
'MOT fail - Coil spring fractured or broken Offside Front (not safe to drive) [5.3.1(b)(i)]'

They (large Hertfordshire tyre specialist) said they could repair it for £138 inc. VAT (part £30, labour £108).
They reckoned it was 1.5hrs work to repair and were pushing for me to give the go-ahead over the phone.
They also recommended getting both fronts done at the same time.
We took the car away to have a think; apparently we have 10 days to get it repaired.

Does this price sound reasonable? I did separately called a branch of Bennetts car parts and they confirmed the spring was £28 which stacks up.
Is it necessary to do the front nearside at the same time, or can we just get by with replacing the damaged one?
Also, is the car safe to drive in the meantime?

Appreciate your feedback.

Thanks,



bern

 

[abmat]

Ideally both springs should be replaced at the same time. As it’s a 2006, while the shocks are out it might be worth getting the top mounts done as well.

 

[Abi]

One of mine broke on the front last year, garage fitted one only for £100 all in, within 3 months the other side broke too. Me personally would say soo both. My A3 is 2010


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[samisnake]

Def do the pair, and def do the top mount bearings/rubber mounts too. Parts cost should be an extra £40ish for the top mounts.
Price wise, I was quoted £180 labour from a couple shops for the pair to be fitted, parts on top, in 2019.
They ain't gouging you on the parts cost, so yeah id say its fair.

If moneys tight, then yeah you can get away with just the one side for now, I've done it on a couple cars in the past. Dunno if it was mostly placebo but I could have sworn the car was tilted to one side after.

 

[gixeron]

As others have said get the pair done if you can. As far as the car being "safe to drive in the meantime", no its not. Ignoring the fact that the MOT has failed so it's now illegal to drive, I've seen a broken spring jump out the strut and the sharp point where the spring broke go through the sidewall of the tyre and you don't want that while doing 60mph down the road.

 

[audi 3 man]

please dont drive the car till you get the coil spring replaced because its now unsafe to drive

 

[audi 3 man]

Def do the pair, and def do the top mount bearings/rubber mounts too. Parts cost should be an extra £40ish for the top mounts.
Price wise, I was quoted £180 labour from a couple shops for the pair to be fitted, parts on top, in 2019.
They ain't gouging you on the parts cost, so yeah id say its fair.

If moneys tight, then yeah you can get away with just the one side for now, I've done it on a couple cars in the past. Dunno if it was mostly placebo but I could have sworn the car was tilted to one side after.

its happened to my drivers side rear coil spring broke going over a pot hole on the motorway i couldnt avoid the dam hole id replace all 4 springs even if just one went or the car will be uneven and slope to one side,if you can afford 4 coil springs done just have 2 rear ones done,never just have one done its false economy because sods law the others will break fracture .hope this helps take care from audi a3 man