The easiest way of checking shock absorbers’ performance is by doing something mechanics refer to as the bounce test. Do this by leaning at one corner of the vehicle to press it downwards before releasing it suddenly. A shock absorber that is in good shape will stop the car from bouncing up more than once. And if it rebounds several times before coming to a standstill, the corresponding shock absorber is probably in bad shape. Another similar test, which is equally simple, involves sudden braking while driving at low speed. As with the previous one, a vehicle that continues bouncing up and down afterward will need new shock absorbers.