Shock absorbers and springs at the APK (MOT): when does your car fail?

At the APK, the compulsory Dutch vehicle inspection comparable to the British MOT, the inspector looks under the car at the springs and the shock absorbers. Not everything he sees leads to a fail. A broken spring does, a leaking shock absorber does not. Below you can read what the rules of the RDW (the Dutch vehicle authority) say, which points lead to a fail and what to do if it happens.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 8 November 2026

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The short answer

According to article 5.2.28 of the RDW APK manual, a passenger car must have a suspension system that works properly, without breaks or cracks, not seriously affected by rust and securely fitted. The shock absorbers must be securely fitted and work properly. Rejection points include a broken or cracked spring, a shock absorber that does not work (properly), is not securely fitted or is missing, and a rusted-through spring seat that has been repaired. A leaking shock absorber is an advisory point (AC2), not a rejection point.

Alignment and suspension at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug: we measure all four wheels with our own alignment equipment and test the shock absorbers on a test drive and on the lift. We only align or replace what is needed, shock absorbers per axle. If the manufacturer asks for an alignment after a repair, it is included in the quote straight away. We tell you the price in advance based on your registration number. Call +31 10 479 00 00. You bring the car and we call you when it is ready. A loan bike is free while one is available. Wheel alignment on Saturdays too, shock absorbers on Saturdays by arrangement. Our team speaks English. More about wheel alignment or shock absorber replacement

What does the APK requirement say about springs and shock absorbers?

The requirement is in article 5.2.28 of the RDW APK manual, under the heading Veersysteem (suspension system). The article has three parts. According to the manual, the tyres do not count as part of the suspension system.

  • Part 1, how it works: passenger cars must have a suspension system that works properly.
  • Part 2, condition of the parts: the parts of the suspension system must not have breaks or cracks, must not be seriously affected by rust and must be securely fitted. A spring seat that has rusted through must not have been repaired.
  • Part 3, shock absorbers: the car must have shock absorbers that are securely fitted and work properly.

A shock absorber damps the up and down movement of the suspension, as the ANWB (the Dutch motoring organisation) puts it. The spring carries the car. The shock absorber makes sure the car does not keep bouncing after a bump. Together they keep the wheels on the road.

How the inspector (keurmeester) checks this: by eye, with the car over an inspection pit or on a lift. For the shock absorbers, he pushes the car down several times where possible. If he is in doubt, he carries out a test drive. What else is checked at the APK is explained on our page about the APK at our garage in Rotterdam.

Which points make a car fail?

The RDW uses fixed descriptions on the inspection report. For springs and shock absorbers, these are the main ones from the list of inspection items (keuringsaspectenlijst). We give the Dutch wording as it appears on the report, with a translation:

Wording on the report (Dutch) What it means Code Result
Veer gebroken of gescheurd What it meansSpring broken or cracked Code5.*.28 ResultRejection point
Veerbevestiging ondeugdelijk What it meansSpring mounting not secure Code5.*.28 ResultRejection point
Veerschotel, -hand gescheurd What it meansSpring seat or spring bracket cracked Code5.*.28 ResultRejection point
Roestschade veerschotel What it meansRust damage to the spring seat Code5.*.28 ResultRejection point
Doorgeroeste veerschotel gerepareerd What it meansRusted-through spring seat has been repaired Code5.*.28 ResultRejection point
Werking veersysteem ondeugdelijk What it meansSuspension system does not work properly Code5.*.28 ResultRejection point
Schokdemper ondeugdelijk bevestigd What it meansShock absorber not securely fitted Code5.*.28 ResultRejection point
Schokdemper niet aanwezig What it meansShock absorber missing Code5.*.28 ResultRejection point
Schokdemper werkt niet (goed) What it meansShock absorber does not work (properly) Code5.*.28 ResultRejection point
Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont What it meansShock absorber shows leakage CodeAC2 ResultAdvisory point, not a fail

Source: RDW APK manual, list of inspection items, consulted November 2026. The asterisk stands for the vehicle type. For a passenger car it is 5.2.28.

If your car has air suspension, similar points apply to the gas suspension system, such as “Ernstige luchtlekkage gasveersysteem” (serious air leak in the gas suspension system) and “Koordlagen van luchtveerbalg beschadigd” (cord layers of the air spring bellows damaged). According to the manual, the cord layers of an air spring bellows may be visible, but they must not be damaged.

A rejection point (afkeurpunt) is a defect you must have repaired before the car gets a new APK. An advisory point (adviespunt) is advice that does not lead to a fail. The difference between a rejection point, a repair advisory point and an advisory point is explained in how to read your APK report.

A leaking shock absorber: an advisory point, not a fail

A shock absorber that leaks gives an advisory point at the APK, with code AC2. The car does not fail on it. A fail only follows if the shock absorber does not work (properly), is loose or is missing. The advisory point is a sign to have the shock absorber checked, though. According to the ANWB, a leak reduces the pressure in the shock absorber, and with it how well it works.

Not every trace of oil on a shock absorber means it is leaking. According to KYB and Sachs, a thin, even film of oil at the top of the shock absorber is normal. It lubricates the seal of the piston rod. This is called sweating. The difference:

Sweating (normal) Leaking (replace)
What you see Sweating (normal)A thin, even film of oil from the top of the shock absorber Leaking (replace)Thick, wet streaks or drops of oil
How far it goes Sweating (normal)Up to the spring seat at most, and it does not grow Leaking (replace)Beyond the spring seat, and it gets worse
With your fingers Sweating (normal)Slightly damp, no oil is left on your fingers Leaking (replace)Clearly oily, oil is left on your fingers
KYB advice Sweating (normal)No action needed Leaking (replace)Replace

Source: KYB Europe, Technical Bulletin Leaking vs Sweating, and ZF Aftermarket (Sachs), When are dampers leaky? Consulted November 2026.

Sachs advises judging the shock absorber only when it is dry, so not straight after a drive in the rain. If you are in doubt, wipe the shock absorber clean and look again after a few days. How the APK deals with other leaks, such as oil or coolant, is explained in oil leaks and other fluid leaks at the APK.

A rusted-through spring seat or a broken spring

A broken or cracked spring is a rejection point. The same goes for a spring seat that is cracked or seriously affected by rust (“Roestschade veerschotel”). The spring seat is the place where the coil spring rests. According to the explanatory notes in the manual, everything within 10 cm of that place counts as the spring mounting.

A rusted-through spring seat must not be repaired. The manual says such a seat must be replaced completely. If the seat has been repaired anyway, that is a rejection point of its own: “Doorgeroeste veerschotel gerepareerd”.

The way the spring is held also counts. According to the manual, a coil spring must touch both places it is meant to rest on when the suspension hangs free, with the wheel off the ground. The spring is allowed to turn. If a broken spring is replaced, this is done in pairs on the same axle. KYB advises against combining different springs on one axle. You can read more about springs and struts in struts, top mounts and coil springs.

What is not a rejection point at the APK?

Some things look bad but, according to the APK manual, do not lead to a fail:

  • A bump stop that is missing or damaged: the bump stop is a rubber or plastic block that catches the suspension at the end of its travel. The manual states clearly that a missing or damaged bump stop is not a reason to fail.
  • A damaged dust boot on the shock absorber: the manual does not list a damaged dust boot as a rejection point. Do have it checked, because according to KYB the boot protects the piston rod and the seal against dirt from the road.
  • A shock absorber that sweats or leaks: sweating is normal, leaking is an advisory point (AC2).
  • A bump stop that rests against its stop when the inspector assesses the suspension travel: this is allowed, as long as the suspension visibly moves.
Even if it is not a fail, do not ignore it. An advisory point is on the report because the inspector saw something that needs attention. We look at it with you and tell you whether it needs doing now or can wait until a later service.

Ball joints and tie rod ends: the 1.0 mm limit

On the suspension, the inspector also looks at the ball joints. A suspension ball joint is the pivot between the control arm and the steering knuckle, the part the wheel is attached to. A steering ball joint (tie rod end, in the UK often called a track rod end) sits at the end of the tie rod. According to article 5.2.19 of the manual, a suspension ball joint must not have more than 1.0 mm of radial play and 1.0 mm of axial play due to wear, on top of any play it had when new.

  • More play than allowed: a fail (“Fusee(kogel) te veel speling” or “Stuurkogel te veel speling”).
  • Wear of 1.0 mm or less: advisory point AC4 (“Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm”).
  • Dust boot of the ball joint or steering rack damaged: a fail if the boot no longer seals or is not securely fitted.
  • Rust on the ball joint: if the boot is damaged and the ball or its housing is visible, that part must not show rust.

The inspector checks this by eye on the lift and, if in doubt, measures the play with a measuring tool. An advisory point AC4 means the ball joint is wearing but is still within the limit. At the next inspection it may have too much play.

Failed on shock absorbers or springs: what now?

Have the rejection points repaired and the car retested. If we repair the items that failed, we will also arrange the retest. We will tell you the cost of the repairs and the retest in advance. We only carry out repairs with your approval. How this works is explained on our page about a failed APK.

  • Per axle: we replace shock absorbers per axle, left and right together. The ANWB writes that shock absorbers are replaced as a set, left and right. If one has failed, we replace it together with its partner on the same axle.
  • Top mounts: manufacturers recommend replacing the top strut mounts (top mounts) at the same time. We show you the cost in advance and you decide.
  • Alignment: new front struts can change the position of the wheels. If the manufacturer asks for an alignment after this work, it is included in the quote straight away. We tell you one price in advance.
  • Camera or radar: does your car have a camera behind the windscreen or a radar in the bumper or grille? Then that system may need to be set up again after an alignment or after work on the suspension. That depends on the make and model. We do not calibrate cameras or radar ourselves. The dealer or a specialist company does that. Ask about it when you book and we will check it for your car.

We test first and only replace what is worn, per axle. We tell you one price in advance, based on your registration number (kenteken). How we assess and replace shock absorbers is explained on our page about shock absorber replacement in Rotterdam. We have five heavy-duty lifts, including lifts for motorhomes and commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg.

Checking the shock absorbers yourself before the APK

You can spot a few signs yourself. According to the ANWB, shock absorbers wear gradually, so you often do not notice it. That is why it helps to look out for these points:

  1. Bouncing: the car keeps bouncing for a long time after a speed bump, or rocks in corners (ANWB).
  2. The push test: press down hard on one corner of the car and let go. If the car only settles after bouncing several times, this points to a faulty shock absorber, according to the ANWB.
  3. Oil on the shock absorber: look behind the wheel with a torch. Run dry fingers over the shock absorber when it is dry. If oil is left on your fingers, it is leaking, according to KYB and Sachs.

A check on the lift and a test drive give certainty. According to the ANWB, shock absorbers last at least 8 years or 150,000 km with normal use. Other things you can check yourself before the inspection are listed in our guide to preparing your car for the APK.

Frequently asked questions

Will my car fail the APK if a shock absorber is leaking?

No. In the RDW list, a shock absorber that shows leakage is an advisory point (AC2). A fail only follows if the shock absorber does not work (properly), is loose or is missing. A leaking shock absorber does lose its effect gradually, so have it checked.

Is a broken spring a reason to fail?

Yes. “Veer gebroken of gescheurd” (spring broken or cracked) is a rejection point under article 5.2.28 of the APK manual. That also applies if the car still seems to drive normally. The spring is replaced in pairs on the same axle.

Can a rusted-through spring seat be repaired?

No. According to the APK manual, a rusted-through spring seat must not be repaired and must be replaced completely. A repaired rusted-through spring seat is a rejection point in itself.

When does the car need an alignment after new shock absorbers?

That depends on the car. New front struts can change the position of the wheels. If the manufacturer asks for an alignment after this work, it is included in the quote straight away.

Do both shock absorbers need replacing if one has failed?

Yes. The ANWB writes that shock absorbers are replaced as a set, left and right. We tell you in advance what it costs for the whole axle.

Is a missing bump stop a reason to fail?

No. The APK manual states clearly that a missing or damaged bump stop is not a reason to fail. The manual does not list a damaged dust boot on the shock absorber as a rejection point either.

Can I have the retest done at your garage?

Yes. If we repair the items that failed, we will also arrange the retest. We will tell you the cost of the repairs and the retest in advance. We are an RDW-approved APK station in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde. Call +31 10 479 00 00.

Failed, or an advisory point on the suspension?

Call +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number. We test first, only replace what is worn, per axle, and we tell you one price in advance.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

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