Suspension
Shock absorbers, one axle
Checked on 30 July 2026.ClickMechanic, Shock absorber replacement cost guide (as of 30 July 2026)
What does shock absorbers, one axle cost in the UK?
£150 to £500 fitted at an independent garage, VAT included, on a mainstream car. The midpoint of that range is about £325, and where you land inside it is decided by access, parts and wheel size rather than by the garage's postcode.
Dampers are replaced in pairs across an axle so both sides behave the same. ClickMechanic put a front pair at £300 on average within £200 to £500, around two hours, and a rear pair at £225 within £150 to £400 in about an hour. Front units usually come with the spring and top mount as one assembly, which is more parts and more time than a rear damper that unbolts top and bottom. Two things push the bill higher: adaptive or electronically controlled dampers, which are several times the price of a passive unit, and corroded lower bolts, which is the usual reason a two hour job becomes three.
How this job compares
| Job | Area | Fitted price |
|---|---|---|
| Front wiper blades | Visibility | £19 to £45 |
| Shock absorbers, one axle | Suspension | £150 to £500 |
| Exhaust section or full system | Noise, emissions and leaks | £100 to £1,200 |
Other suspension work
| Job | Fitted price | Labour |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel bearing | £120 to £300 | 1h |
| Anti-roll bar drop links | £60 to £130 | 1h |
| Suspension arm bushes | £80 to £180 | 1.5h |
| Coil springs, one axle | £175 to £400 | 2h |
Common questions
- How much does shock absorbers, one axle cost?
- £150 to £500 fitted at an independent garage, including VAT, for a mainstream car.
- How urgent is it?
- Book it in, and sooner if the car floats over bumps or the nose dives hard when you brake. A shock absorber insecurely attached is a major defect, and one that is missing or likely to become detached is dangerous. A leaking damper also throws oil onto the tyre and the spring.
- What moves the price within that range?
- Access, parts and wheel size, mostly. A job that needs the bumper or an arch liner off costs an hour more than the same job on a car where it does not, and a genuine part can be several times an aftermarket one.
- Is this price for one side or both?
- The detail below says where a published price covers a pair. Where it does not, treat the range as one side and expect the second to add less than double, because the labour overlaps.
Sources
Every figure on this page was read off the publisher's own page on the date shown.