When should I get my shocks checked?
The short answer
Every 20,000 km, and every year once your car is three years old. Shocks wear so slowly that you get used to it — a quick check tells you for sure.
What your shocks actually do
Springs soak up the bump. Shocks stop the springs from bouncing afterwards — keeping your tyres pressed onto the road.
When to check
Every 20,000 km
A quick check whenever you’re in for tyres, brakes or alignment.
Every year after year 3
Shocks wear gradually, so problems creep up on you.
Around 80,000 km
Time for a close look — many original shocks are tired by now.
After rough use
Towing, gravel roads and potholes all speed up wear.
5,000+bounces per km
Each shock works thousands of times for every kilometre you drive — hundreds of millions of times over its life. No wonder they wear out.
Monroe estimates 5,000–8,000 cycles per km.
Signs your shocks are worn
- The car keeps bouncing after a bump or dip
- The nose dips hard when you brake
- It leans or sways in corners and crosswinds
- Oily streaks down the side of a shock
- Tyres wearing in patches or “cups”
Why it matters
Healthy shocks
- Tyres stay pressed onto the road
- Shorter, straighter stops
- Stable in corners and crosswinds
- Tyres wear evenly
Worn shocks
- Tyres skip over bumps and lose grip
- Longer stopping distances on bumpy roads
- Body roll and a floaty, tiring ride
- Patchy, “cupped” tyre wear
What we check
- 01
Bounce test
We push down on each corner and watch how quickly the car settles.
- 02
Leaks & mounts
We look for oil leaks, dents and worn rubber mounts on every shock.
- 03
Tyre clues
Patchy tyre wear is a tell-tale sign we always look for.
Myth
Shocks are only about comfort.
Fact
Comfort is a side effect. Their real job is keeping your tyres on the road — so worn shocks affect braking and steering too.
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