Serviced liked clockwork every year, this 2004 Suzuki Wagon R had covered under 60,000 miles and was in a nice clean condition. The owner had looked after the mini MPV and if something needed doing, she would get it done. But when I advised something was going to need to be done, she would always say “well, that can wait”.

I had noted that the rubber boots on the lower suspension ball joints were looking a little worse for wear and had hinted that replacing them may save a problem down the line. In her mind the time to do that would be when the problem occurred, and I wasn’t going to make her believe otherwise.

When the next NCT test came around the rubber and boot had perished, and was now not protecting the lower ball joint. This had allowed grit and dirt from the roadway to enter the joint, which had consequently worn and now also needed replacing.

A new lower arm was needed, but of course I wasn’t going to say I told you so. It is a fact a stitch in time saves nine!

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