If you’re driving around Hamilton – maybe you’ve just come down from Ngaruawahia or nipped across from Morrinsville, hitting a few potholes on Te Rapa Road or wrangling those never-ending speed bumps at The Base – chances are, your car’s shock absorbers are doing it tough. Loads of drivers pop in to Grimmer Motors asking what they need to watch for with shocks before a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) check. So here’s a down-to-earth list of what we’d tell you right in the workshop: seven top tips to see your shocks right through a WOF, no dramas.

1. Know What Your Shocks Actually Do

Shocks aren’t just about a smoother ride – they’re crucial for keeping your car stable, especially with all the Hamilton stop-start traffic and those quick dashes onto SH1. If that 2010 Honda Fit of yours starts bouncing like a trampoline or your RAV4 sways around cornering on Cambridge Road, it’s probably time to take a decent look at your shocks. Before you book in for a WOF inspection, check for oily leaks, uneven tyre wear, or that “nose-dive” feeling when you hit the brakes – all signs your shocks could be past their best.

2. Stick to Regular Shock Checks

If you mostly run your Toyota Hilux or Kia Sportage up to Rototuna, or head out to Raglan on the weekends, your shocks are copping different conditions – from Hamilton’s winter fog to that relentless dry summer dust. Regular shock inspections are a must; leave it too long and you’ll end up with bigger (and pricier) headaches. We always recommend keeping your maintenance history up to scratch – makes it dead simple when it comes round to WOF time.

3. Don’t Skimp on Replacement Parts

When those original shocks on your Mazda Demio or the rear struts on your Suzuki Swift do give up, stick to decent parts. The cheap ones might save you a few bucks up front, but they never last. Up here, we’ve had customers with hybrid repair issues who went for budget shocks, only to end up swapping them out again not long after. We’ll always point you towards good quality OEM or equivalent parts to keep your car safe and in good nick.

4. Get Shocks Fitted by the Pros

Seen plenty of folks try a DIY job after watching a YouTube vid, then have to tow the car back when something’s not right. Let a trained tech do the job – you’ll get proper handling, none of those weird creaks or rattles, and no risk of failing your WOF. At Grimmer Motors, our crew know all the WOF standards inside out.

5. Always Check Your Wheel Alignment

Every time we fit new shocks – whether it’s a BMW X3 from Tamahere or a Nissan X-Trail doing the Claudelands school run – we check the alignment. Bad shocks chew tyres quickly, but bad alignment after a shock job is just as rough on your rubber. Ask us for an alignment check when you’re in for shocks, it’s worth it for a trouble-free WOF and better handling.

6. Test Drive – Don’t Skip It

After we’ve sorted your shocks, we always go for a test drive – so should you. Different drivers notice different things. Customers in their VW Polos or Hyundai i30s have picked up little oddities after a suspension job, so always spin round the block and let us know if anything feels off. We’re happy to double-check your ride for WOF readiness.

7. Keep All Your Service Records Handy

The easiest way to breeze through a WOF is to show you’ve cared for your car – tidy records count for heaps. If we’ve serviced your late-model Peugeot or done the shocks on your Toyota Corolla, we keep all the info logged. Makes things quicker for you and the inspector, and you’ll always know what’s been already done.

Why do so many Hamilton locals choose Grimmer Motors for shock absorber WOF repairs?

  • We See It All: From old Mitsis to nearly-new Audis, our techs know the quirks of most cars you’ll find on Tron roads – and the kind of hammering local roads dish out.

  • Only Good Gear: Every shock we fit is quality, not bargain bin stuff – it’s about keeping you safe and saving you hassle later.

  • Solid Records: We keep all your service paperwork tidy, handy come WOF time.

  • Easy As: Right here in Hamilton for quick turnarounds – no endless waits or mucking about.

  • Straight-Up Advice: We’ll tell you what’s needed (and what’s not) – no upsell, just real talk.

If you want your ride WOF-ready and comfy on any Hamilton road, get in touch. For more details check out our website.

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