An unexpected Mot fail

[Stevo7682]

Had a 65 plate Ford Ka 31k on clock in this morning for an Mot found this unexpected failure on it .

Offside rear shock absorber broken In two due to what looks like excess corrosion being the cause I was quite surprised to see this as the car is only 5yrs old and has not done a lot of miles .

Stephen.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

So much for OEM parts, then.

 

[t-tony]

Cant believe the driver didn’t know something was wrong can you?

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

And here is a classic case of a dangerous failure, I’ll admit I wouldn’t drive that away to repair it at home, but, someone will say no doubt that it got to the testing station so it will get back home! That is the dilemma.

Tony.

 

[Lee]

That’s a crazy amount of corrosion in 5 years. Is it true they use tougher rock salt in Scotland ? Looking at the rest of the car you’ll be lucky to see 10 years.

 

[D R Oldfield]

Back in 2000 we had a fleet of 1.8 escort diesel vans every one of them at the first mot needed welding on the sills when we approached ford about it saying we thought it wasnt very good and we wernt happy about having to have them welded they said what do you expect there a van

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Cant believe the driver didn’t know something was wrong can you?

Tony.

Considering the amount of cars I see driving around on obviously under-inflated tyres, I find it easy to believe that no-one noticed the total lack of damping on one corner. "It's always been like that" is something I've heard many times.

Which is why there's a need for a regular test of the bits underneath.

 

[Redline]

That's a bit worrying. Our son has a 62 plate KA.
Has the car spent all it's time right on the coast?
Still doesn't explain why, but the more corrosive sea air or exposure to salt might have accelerated the problem.

 

[Fender2004]

A lot of people only get work done on their cars at MoT time, and even then only on failed items, and ignore the advisories.

 

[t-tony]

It is the only time the vast majority of vehicles get any attention.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Or, it could just as easily be an early failure which you do get with mass produced items. I have certainly never seen a rear shocker break where the mounting was crimped to the strut casing. I have seen shockers break where it is connected to the bush housing though.
If it is a common thing it would be talked about on owners forums for sure. Worth a look?

Tony.

 

[AleNod]

Had a 65 plate Ford Ka 31k on clock in this morning for an Mot found this unexpected failure on it .
View attachment 170365
Offside rear shock absorber broken In two due to what looks like excess corrosion being the cause I was quite surprised to see this as the car is only 5yrs old and has not done a lot of miles .

Stephen.

Thats shocking . . .

No really, I dont think I've even heard of that . . .

Glad its caught in time, I also wonder how the owner never noticed ?

 

[Rha]

I'm thinking unless your a diy driver with some mechanical knowledge you wouldn't necessarily have jacked said car up to be able to see the Shock had come away from its mounting. Looks like Steve has it jacked up in pic.? Thank goodness we have a yearly MOT, after all Isn't that what the test is all about to try and keep us all safe from the very ignorant drivers. I would be sending that report to Ford and the MOT authority to warn all testers. Shocking cheap crap metal decay. Worrying to say the least.

Roy.