Thats correct, requires the hub replacing which should cost less than £40 each. Labour 1hour may be 2hours if bolts hard to get off. I say less than £200 all in.

It's a common issue in that age of car.

3. Unlikely The heavy weight sits on the suspension.

3. Possible. The heavy weight and the weight of the suspension are borne by the bearings. The only weight that isn't supported by the bearing is the weight of the wheel.

Thanks for your responses, much appreciated.

Yes it will be the equivalent of a 17st driver (me), a 14st front passenger, 16st laying across the back seat, and two 34st curled up in the boot. That was the weight spread. Only two lots of 12 miles with that load and the car was weighed down very low. Didn't look good but drove ok. It was about two weeks later the noise started to happen. It's just too coincedental in my eyes.

It has failed the MOT due to the wheel bearings. I cannot remember the wording the guy used but he spun the wheels and said they sounded gone and needed replacing to pass an MOT. Yes the rear of the car does sound noisey when going over 50mph but isn't unbareable.

I am half thinking of taking it to another MOT tester to see if they check and/or pass the car if they do not spot the bearings gone. That was the reason why I was asking about what would happen (i.e. dangerous) if I didn't have them replaced.

I am being quoted £240 by one place and £230+VAT by another for the repare.

Not sure what to do. Abit skint at the moment (like all).

Edited by dac1 on 29/03/2016 at 18:36

No is the answer to that. I think I didn't know it was a serious fault, maybe just one of those annoying things that could be ignored and it's not dangerous.

Ok, so I will get it repaired - no problem. My questions now is, is £240-£250 a fair price or should I search further?
It seems the rear wheel bearing hub costs more than the front but prices range from £45-£90 (Kast - SNR). What a mechanic be buying at these prices or get the hubs even cheaper? Just don't know if its a good price based down in Anglia.

Thanks.

If the noise doesn't bother you I would delay it as long as possible. It is amazing how only a tiny amount of surface deformity on the rollers and races can produce such a loud noise.

It is not serious - how often have you heard of a wheel completely seizing up or catching fire? When you change them you will probably need a magnifying glass to spot the difference between old and new, unless they were meganoisy. It seems you might not have a good relationship with your mechanic, who understandably wants as much work as he can get. In the old days, the interior of most cars was a cacophany of bearing and gear noise!