I have just had my 63 reg VRS Estate MOTd and it passed....however....it was 'noted' that my N/S rear 'bump stop' had split, and my O/S rear was starting to split and they recommended replacing both of them for £183.84 (ouch !!).  I am a technical 'numpty' but want to be safe in my car.  I only drive on roads, and rarely use the performance of my rocket.  How serious an issue is this?.... and should I just pay up and have the work done??....I have no wish to end up in a hedge bottom due to this issue.

 

You guys have always been super-helpful with advice, and I trust you a lot, so any advice would be appreciated.

The bump stops and dust covers aren’t very expensive around £25 for both sides So you are paying for the labour. Again not a hard job but if you don’t have the tools then take it to a recommended local garage. 
I’m not sure if the bump stops are an MOT failure f you were to leave them but hopefully someone can advise on that. 

Lots of Fabias will be driving around with this fault. Not a serious issue.

The ones fitted in the factory don't stand the test of time. Not problematic even when completely failed, it'll just mean the dust cover for the shock absorber piston will rattle around loose; no urgency to fix, but worth considering fitting new shocks when you do, as the labour for that would already be covered.

 

Some have gained a short term fix by simply gluing the split bits back together with superglue or similar.

 

A good mechanic would probably easily be able to change both sides in under an hour maybe even half that, so the price you've been quoted seems rather steep.

Sounds a little like they are charging you "Sports car" Prices... Often, thats what happens from dodgy dealers. The same as a "Lady" owner gets told she needs a new set of discs, along with pads and a fluid change, just due to her pads being half-worn! Might be a better job but its a MUCH better profit, for unnecessary work! 

 

You passed, so pass on their quite and take your time looking around for a better quote or as mentioned, wait until the shocks need doing, then get the stops replaced at the same time.