Can you drive a car with broken suspension?

The short answer is no - you should not drive a car with broken suspension. Regardless of whether it's a broken coil spring or a broken shock absorber, you cannot drive a vehicle which has any element of the suspension that is broken.

This is because driving with a damaged or collapsed coil spring can cause sagging, which could cause more damage to your vehicle in the long-term. Broken suspension will also likely affect your alignment angles, compromising the control and stability of your vehicle.

Signs your vehicle needs suspension repair work

As car suspension is likely to gradually wear over time, this means that it can often be difficult to detect if there are any problems. Our top warning signs to look out for include:

• Discomfort for the driver - generally, problems with suspension will cause a bumpy ride and lack of stability. The vehicle may even dip to one side - making for an uncomfortable journey for the driver.
• Road holding - does your vehicle feel less in control than usual? Road stability can be compromised when there's a problem with your suspension.
• Tyre wear - another tell-tale suspension problem sign is increased wear on tyres as it can cause your tyres to develop abnormal tyre tread wear.
• Reduced braking efficiency - if your braking efficiency is reduced, or you feel the vehicle is braking later than normal, this can suggest there's a problem with your suspension.

How long should a car suspension last?

The durability of a car's suspension depends on a variety of factors, such as:

• Road surfaces/terrain - this refers to if the vehicle is frequently exposed to rough and bumpy surfaces which could affect the suspension.
• Driving style - how you drive your vehicle will likely affect suspension longevity.
• Mileage - how many miles your vehicle has driven is also a contributing factor.

Car suspension repair services

Here at PTA Garages, we offer a car suspension repair service. For any broken car suspension needs, or simply if you need some advice regarding whether your suspension is working in the most efficient way, we have you covered. Locate your nearest PTA Garage, or get in touch with a member of our helpful team now.