My Karoq needs two new front shocks due to leaking and misting. My local garage is quoting £490 for monroe or £580 for VW original. People are recommending I consider Bilstein, but while trying to find the cost of those, how would I know if I have 'electronic suspension control'? And any other cost effective recommendations?

Edited 12 August, 202512 Aug by Nebb

You will only have active shocks if you have top spec, or added DCC (dynamic chassis control) as an option.

If you have mode button, try individual setting (on some versions can call this up in infotainment, car, settings too). If you can adjust suspension to sport, comfort etc then they are active. If not then you have standard shock absorbers

4 hours ago, Nebb said:

My Karoq needs two new front shocks due to leaking and misting.

Unless the dampers are actively leaking, this is normal function and you should avoid the garage in question.

Save your money and change garages you'll not come to any harm !

Car registered 31 March 2021.

Back in March at 42300 miles,my MoT, at Skoda dealer, i got 2 advisories. Both near and offside front Shock absorbers having 'Light Misting'.

The previous MoT at 34851 miles had no advisories.

So,

21 hours ago, Paws4Thot said:

Unless the dampers are actively leaking, this is normal function and you should avoid the garage in question.

Why is the MoT flagging light misting? Also, why do they have specific codes for misting?

(There was no suggestion that I replace the dampers.)

Edited 13 August, 202513 Aug by barcudcoch
Note re garage not suggesting I replace the dampers.

If the MoT was carried out at a VW/Skoda dealer, then my view is this is an an attempt at upselling you a pair of Shock Absorbers.

A few years ago I had my Civic Type R in at a Honda main dealer for a health check. Two rear shockers were advised due to list misting, so they must have a small leak.

Took the car to my local Halfords to double check, your shockers are fine I was told. (Made a change from Halfords recommending parts replacement when not required.)

4 hours ago, barcudcoch said:

Car registered 31 March 2021.

Back in March at 42300 miles,my MoT, at Skoda dealer, i got 2 advisories. Both near and offside front Shock absorbers having 'Light Misting'.

The previous MoT at 34851 miles had no advisories.

So,

Why is the MoT flagging light misting? Also, why do they have specific codes for misting?

(There was no suggestion that I replace the dampers.)

Because, being a registered MOT centre they are required to advise, even if it isn't a fail.

As part of the MOT inspection at any centre, for any brand, it could be an indication of a fault developing, allowing to owner to take action before it becomes dangerous.

Thanks @JimG59 , my Karoq is on the Skoda servicing deal with added warranty is the reason I went there.

Thanks @Frizzbee30 I understand now, at least there wasn't an instant attempt to upsell new ones.

7 hours ago, barcudcoch said:

Why is the MoT flagging light misting?

They can write anything they like as an "Advisory" as long as it is factual. For example "Advisory - brake pads 10% worn", which actually means 90% pad life remaining.

33 minutes ago, Paws4Thot said:

They can write anything they like as an "Advisory" as long as it is factual. For example "Advisory - brake pads 10% worn", which actually means 90% pad life remaining.

Except my MoT has two specific advisory items:

"Shock absorbers has light misting of oil Offside Front [5.3.2(b)]" and

"Shock absorbers has light misting of oil Offside Front [5.3.2(b)]"

Not sure if 5.3.2(b) is generic but the messages are standard MoT

59 minutes ago, barcudcoch said:

Except my MoT has two specific advisory items:

"Shock absorbers has light misting of oil Offside Front [5.3.2(b)]" and

"Shock absorbers has light misting of oil Offside Front [5.3.2(b)]"

Not sure if 5.3.2(b) is generic but the messages are standard MoT

You can actually read the relevant text? Where does that mention "light misting"?

@barcudcoch light misting is very normal with VAG. I would assume over half VWAG cars have 'light misting of oil' on their MOT sheets. Misting is different to leaking. Leaking means you need new shocks, misting means your shocks have oil in them and are working.

As @Paws4Thot says, MOT testers write so many things as an advisory - under trays, tyres, pads, wipers, rust, wear and tear - the list goes on.

Ignore it, move on. Problem solved.

8 hours ago, Paws4Thot said:

You can actually read the relevant text? Where does that mention "light misting"?

Thanks @Paws4Thot. That says it all.

Thanks @OccyVRS

As above, if a garage/dealer is suggesting they need replacing, find a new one!

I read somewhere that if 'light misting' is noted and not sorted by the next MOT it becomes a fail ! can anybody confirm this ?

Nah.

I had advisories for misting on the front shocks of my mk2 Golf for several consecutive years.

Then I had a clean MOT, so I asked the tester, "what about the oil misting", to which he answered "all the oil's probably gone". 🤣

Was a few years back, mind.

I had the following observation on last years MOT

• Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

• Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

This years MOT with still the same shock absorbers no observations

i have normal shocks on karoq without control. 1.5 tsi with 85000 kms.

front right was misting, left not, but i felt when dribing that bar is bouncing in front.

i tested shocks ant were on 50% of capacity.

i changed front with Sachs, man it was another car, much, much more manageable, no jumping, no noises, of course, I also replaced the corresponding bearings and shock absorber caps.

I soon replaced the rear ones, which were not so bad, but I like a stable car, so I put Bilstein B4