Missing coil spring rfr - VOSA's response

Ok guys. Didn't want to say anything earlier as I wasn't sure if I would get a reply but I got an email back today. Here is the email I sent followed by thier reply

I'm not sure if this it the correct place for this but I'm hoping it will
highlight a very important point.

I had a Mercedes A class in this week for test. Noticed the offside rear
spring was completely missing

See attached file: image.jpeg)

This is the nearside for comparison,

(See attached file: image.jpeg)

I was unable to find any rfr for a missing spring. There were two or three
rfr's that could sort of fit such as "a coil spring not correctly located"
perhaps? There was no fouling and still a fair bit of clearance all round.

It doesn't make sense to me that you can fail a spring for being weak or
broken but if it's not there at all then it's a pass?

I look forward to hearing your reply.

Hi Gary

There is probably not an RfR for a spring missing because no one ever
envisaged it would be necessary to have one!

If I was presented with a vehicle with a spring missing I would refuse to
test it as I would not be happy to roller brake test it or drive it. If
someone considered they were happy to complete the test, then in the
majority of cases I would expect the tyre to be fouling, but if not I would
do as you suggest and fail for the spring not correctly located. If it
ain't there it definitely can't be correctly located!

Regards

Technical Standards Team|